I'll keep it short up here since you all are probably impatient (my readers who have read the other chapters & liked the story I mean) to read my new chapter that is long over due so all I'll say is enjoy. & also forgive all the centered texted.
Connections
After the incident of the shoving fight and the random shout, our favorite vampiric family found themselves outside a door. And on that door read the words 'Principal's Office'.
The twin girls glared at the door with backs straight as rods. The two adults behind them looked from the door to the girls curiously, waiting for them to go inside. Yet the two continued to stand and glare.
"What're you two doing?"
"Waiting."
"…For what?"
"Him."
"…"
"The principal?"
"Yes-"
"And no."
"No?"
"We don't consider him our principal."
"…Why?"
"Because. Not only is he our principal-"
"But he's also our uncle."
"Uncle?"
"Yes-"
"Uncle."
Before Seras or Alucard could so much as open their mouths to ask anything else, the door in front of them was opened to allow them entry to the room behind it.
Except for the large mahogany desk and large, filled trophy cases the room was plain. Its walls a cream color with a deep red boarder, no windows, and utterly empty. Well, besides from the previously mentioned things and the handsome man standing behind the desk, his arms outspread with a large, fanged smile in place.
"Hello, Hello! I'm Mr. Pierce, if Lizzy and Mary haven't already mentioned."
"We didn't," the two said angrily as they stalked their way to the two chairs on either side of the loveseat in front of their principal's desk, forming a sort of half circle.
"You may call me Jonathan, or Jon for short; whichever you prefer. We are family after all," Mr. Peirce said with another wide smile, completely ignoring his nieces' statement and glares.
Alucard looked at the man before him through his new pair of black shades, not giving a thing away through his eyes or expression. Seras, on the other hand, stood awkwardly a bit behind Alucard, not sure whether to talk or not. Moving slowly the duo moved toward their seats on the small couch, not taking their eyes off of the peppy man before them.
"You must be the infamous Alucard. It's so great to finally meet you. You must believe me when I say we were all in utter shock when my dear late sister told us that she was baring children; and yours no less. Who would've thought it possible for vampires to bring children into the world? Let alone twins. But as we can see, it's quite possible," Jon said with his hand outstretched, looking at Elizabeth and Mariann in such a loving way that it was impossible to say he really felt love for them.
"Umph," was all the answer he got from Alucard as he sat himself on the hard couch with his legs crossed at the knee.
"Okay...And who might you be? Surely the great NoLife King isn't trying for more children," the much too happy Mr. Peirce then said, turning to the now red Seras, earning him two pairs of rolled eyes on his nieces' part, and causing Alucard to grin evilly.
"Her name's Seras-"
"Seras Victoria, Uncle," Elizabeth and Mariann replied for Seras as she softly shook his offered hand.
Holding her hand lightly, Jonathan brought it to his lips where he placed a soft kiss on the back of it, "Well. It's very nice to meet you, Ms. Victoria." His actions earned him another roll of the eyes and a hard glare. Along with some scary vibes, telling him to watch himself.
Releasing her hand, Mr. Peirce allowed Seras to sit down as he himself too, sat down in his squeaking rolly chair.
"As I'm sure Mariann and Elizabeth have already told you, I'm their principal as well as their uncle. I-"
"I'm so very sorry, but could you please explain how you and my daughters are exactly connected," Alucard sarcastically interrupted.
"Ah. Very well then. Their mother was my sister. My biological sister. You see, we were twins. This would probably account for the reason she bore twins instead of just one child. We were turned by a group of elder vampires some eighty or so years back. That would make your daughters my biological nieces and you my brother-in-l-"
"No."
"Excuse me," Mr. Peirce asked, confused.
"If you were about to say 'brother-in-law', no I'm not."
"Oh?"
"I don't remember their mother, your sister. And she most definitely wasn't my NoLife Queen. Or even a mate, if you get my drift. But I don't doubt that these two are indeed my daughters. They possess much more power then I'd presume a child of a low vampire's would. And besides that, they look and smell extremely similar to me. If you couldn't tell for yourself."
"And so am I to believe that Seras here is now to be our new queen?"
"What Ma is 'to be' has nothing to do with you, Uncle-"
"Nor does our status on the hierarchy."
"Don't speak so to your uncle," Jonathan exclaimed, turning on his twin nieces, fangs bared. "Watch your tongue when speaking to your superiors! You should respe-"
"They're right. And you also dare to call yourself their superior," Alucard asked nonchalantly while Seras too, bared her fangs, maternal instincts kicking in.
"Wha-Why-Yes. Yes I do. I am-"
"And that's where you have it wrong. They're more powerful now while their half grown then you'll ever be. And as to respect. You should respect your family and guests. And more so when your family is also your guests' children."
"Wha-Bu-"
"Now. If it wouldn't be too much to ask, I'd like to get to the reason why we're here so that I may take my dear children and Seras out of this hostile environment."
"Uh. Very well. My apologies," Jonathan replied, switching back to his ever professional 'Mr. Peirce' self.
Did what you just say mean 'dear children and dear Seras' father?
Shuddup…
Master, did you really just call this 'hostile'? Seras asked, with a slight chuckle to her 'voice', completely oblivious to what had just transpired between Alucard and one of his daughters.
Well, Seras, I can't exactly just come out and say that we work for the Hellsing Organization now can I?
But I thought they already knew that…?
Choosing not to answer Seras, Alucard ended the silent conversations that had taken place as Mr. Peirce had apologized.
Sweeping his sorta but not so longish, dirty blond hair back from his face, Jonathan settled back down in his chair and opened a drawer to his right. Opening another drawer, this time to his left, he placed the first two manila folders he'd pulled out on the top of his desk while fishing around for what appeared to be another one.
"These here are the Girls' records," he said, patting the first folders. "For as troublesome as these two are, they're extremely intelligent. Though, it would seem, not at all that amiable in the mornings, and a bit different from the rest of their kind. Well, besides from being born vampires, that is."
Pulling out a 'small' stack of papers from the other, fuller folder, Jonathan continued, "And these here are the papers that you'll need to sign if you'd like to be recognized as their new guardians here at this school. But if you don't, I'd be happy to ta-"
"Daddy and Ma would be very happy to sign all needed papers-"
"Yes. Very, very happy," Elizabeth and Mariann interrupted, sending pleading looks at their father and 'Ma'.
"Yes. We'd most definitely be more than happy to sign all the papers required," Seras responded very professionally, giving Alucard a look that left him with no other choice but to nod his head subtly in agreement.
"Very well then. You, Ms. Victoria, only have to sign right here. And the Girls have to sign right here, when you're done of course," Jonathan said, handing a pen to Seras, who then handed it to the twin closest to her. "As for their father, the rest of the packet is left to you."
Daddy, while you're here signing and reading this long ass contract thing, could you read to make sure me, Mari, and Ma didn't sign our souls to this dumbass bastard?
No problem, Elizabeth. I wouldn't want someone else claiming what is rightfully mine for their own.
Ah. Very true, father. But I'd still keep an eye on this piece of work. He wants to have guardianship of Mari and me, thinking that it'll bring him more status then he already has.
Oh. So he's a leech.
Yes. Yes he is, Elizabeth 'said' laughingly as she pulled out of his head.
Smirking, the two girls stood, waiting for their 'Ma' to finish up.
"So, since you're taking in these two, do you plan on also adopting their brother as well?"
"Brother," both Alucard and Seras asked. One in more shock then the other of the two.
"Lizzy and Mary here-"
"Stop calling us that. It's Lizz and Mari. With an 'i' not a 'y', you stupid-ass."
"-didn't tell you?"
"I didn't see another kid in the box."
"How many unknown children do you have, Master? Oh those poor babies. All growing up without a father to love and protect them."
"Ahem-"
"Erik isn't your son, Daddy-"
"He's our Blood Brother-"
"Not our biological brother-"
"He was the closest thing we'd ever had to a loving family member."
"So then what is he though?"
"He's our mother's turnee-"
"Her fledgling."
Master, I don't know if Integra'll be okay with another kid.
Me either, Police Girl. And as much as the idea of another male in our household sounds good, I don't know if I can handle another one.
Uh, Ma, Father, Erik is now like nineteen or twenty-
-We think-
And you guys'll like him-
And so will Auntie Integra-
He's pretty different from us-
Yeah. He's calmer-
More mellow-
Laidback-
Which is why we get along with him-
We love him like a real brother-
And he wasn't in the box because he's way too big to fit-
Besides the fact that he isn't related to you like at all.
Ah. Well, does he go to this school?
Yeah-
He's a senior.
Okay. Well maybe we'll take him home with us and broach the subject to Integra very, very carefully.
Okay, Ma-
I hope he can stay with us.
"Maybe. We'll have to think about it first," Seras replied to Mr. Peirce's question.
"Okay. Sounds great," Jonathan said, handing the now unused pen to Alucard. "Just sign here. And here and anywhere else you see an open space asking for a parent/guardian signature."
"Oh. Oooh. What should I put as my name? I have so many…Maybe Vlad. That is my real name after all. Hmm…I haven't thought about this in a while. Am I still Vlad Draculea, Vlad Ţepeş the Impaler, son of the Dragon? Or am I-"
Hellsing, Master! Put your name as Alucard Hellsing. Seras exclaimed through their mental link.
I will do no such thing!
Por qué? It's not like you own your own soul anyways. Integra owns it.
And I own yours.
Not cool, man. And I can always take mine back, unlike you.
Not if I don't allow you to.
"-Count Dracula? Or just Dracula?"-Just his declaration of being the Vlad the Impaler and the Bram Stoker's Dracula had Mr. Peirce starring at him, google-eyed-"Can I even be Dracula without being a count? Why did they call me a count? I was no count, I was a prince. Am a prince! Maybe I'm just Alucard. I'm not completely the same as before am I? I don't think so…"
"My God, father-"
"Why don't you just put Alucard-"
"With the first 'a' and the 'd' capitalized-"
"That way it's both Alucard and Dracula-"
"And it'll save us all this trouble."
"Ah! What a brilliant idea, Girls! Yes that is what I shall do…Wait. How do you work this pen? It has neither a cap nor a tip…"
"You click it, Master," Seras answered, letting out a burdened sigh.
"Ah! This is brilliant. So-"
"Why don't you go to class, Girls? You're late enough as is," Jonathan said to the two girls as Alucard scribbled down his signature and rambled on and on.
"Humph-"
"Whatever-"
"Keep our seats warm, Uncle-"
"We'll be back eventually-"
"Come on, Ma-"
"Yeah, we wanna show you our classes-"
"Yeah and luckily we both have all the same classes."
"Uhm…"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, Girls. All three of you. Go. I'll catch up with you in a bit," Alucard said, making up Seras' mind for her with a dismissive wave over his shoulder as he continued to write his name on every line that asked for it.
Jonathan sat there looking like he was ready to say something about it, but the Girls didn't even give him a chance to so much as open his mouth as they gently pulled Seras out the door and down the hall toward their first class. History of the Damned. And Mr. Goodwill.
---E&M---
"Hello class. This is Histor-"
"Yeah, so this is-"
"Class numeral uno, Ma," the Girls said to Seras, totally ignoring the fact that they'd just interrupted their new homeroom teacher as he introduced the class.
"Well, now that it's been established that this is your homeroom, I'd like to introdu-" Just then, all three draculinas walked in. Seras looking a bit more shy then Elizabeth and Mariann. "And just who might you three be," the teacher asked, clearing checking them out and liking what he saw.
The Girls leered back at him in their newly 'grown up' forms, before replying, "Well hello there, Mr. Goodwill. We're Elizabeth, Mariann, and Seras Ţepeş."
"Oh really? And are you all related or what," the dark haired, blue-eyed man asked.
"Mariann and I are twins, as you already know, Oliver. Seras is family."
"Ah. Elizabeth. Okay, gotcha. It's so hard to tell you two apart, forgive me…Mm. How we love twins," the last part of his sentence whispered yet loud enough for everyone to hear. Earning him scattered chuckles from throughout the class. "Now please take your seats, wherever they may be, your Majesties. And all you vampires in the class don't forget to show your princesses your gratitude."
"As if. Those two aren't anything but a joke, worthless. Me and my family, the Doths, are much more prestigious then those two…girls, and their little pet," a dark haired girl sitting up front, seemingly no more than sixteen, spat sizing Seras and the Girls up with her hazel eyes.
"Shut up, Vanessa-"
"Yeah. No one asked for your opinion-"
"Just your gratitude-"
"Though we'd much rather not have it-"
"And just have you burned and be done with it-"
"And all of us here know we can have you-"
"Disappear."
"Now Girls we don't ne-"
"And just who do you think you're gonna get to do it? Your 'daddy'? Come on. How do we even know he's your father? Oh yeah…We don't. And we all know, no one is gonna do anything to hurt me because of my stature," the girl said, giving the Girls a disgusted look and completely interrupting Seras. Which, from the way her nails and fangs were starting to elongate and her aura started to flow, she didn't take too nicely.
But the silence that filled up the room as everyone stared at the combatants, waiting to see how the two princesses would react to this open doubt of heritage, lost it's odd tension and was filled with a different, indescribable feeling when the Girls replied to Vanessa's statement with:
"You don't-"
"What don't I?"
"-But we do…"
"And as to prestige…"
"Isn't it more like the boys' reviews?"
By this time the Girls had reached the higher of the seats in the classroom and gracefully sat down in their chosen desks while the rest of the class broke out in 'Ooooh's and 'They got you's. Vanessa twisted in her chair in order to see them, only to be met with cool, fierce grins. And just as she opened her mouth to say something derogatory, the intercom came on and the much too happy voice of Mr. Peirce could be heard.
"Hello students, I'd like to welcome you to another semester here at After Midnight Prep. I'd also like to announce today's birthdays. A very happy birthday to Mariann and Elizabeth Ţepeş. My nieces and the Vampires' newly proven Princesses. Please give them the congratulations they deserve. Have a wonderful night!"
"Wait. What? What'd he mean by 'newly proven princesses'? Nothing's been proven as of yet," Vanessa sputtered before a creepy drop in temperature occurred and Alucard walked out of one of his portals. This new element had Vanessa twisting back around to stare wide-eyed at the cause of the scary aura overriding that of Seras', who just happened to be swapping check-out glances with Mr. Goodwill before the arrival of her
"Master!"
Alucard was clicking both of the pens in his hands, looking absolutely mystified. Looking up slowly, he sought out the three pairs of blue eyes that he was now familiar with.
"These pens are brilliant. We must get more. I only grabbed enough to fill my one pocket, being as your uncle didn't have any more. And by the way, I (and I'm sure Seras too) had no idea it was your birthday today. But Girls, who was it that said you three weren't the Vampires' princesses and then furthered their insult by calling Seras, the oldest of my three princesses, your pet?"
"Oh, just the little bitch-"
"In the desk in front of you, Daddy," the Girls said, Mariann with a smug smile on her lips and Elizabeth with her head tilted to the side and an eyebrow cocked when Vanessa turned around to gawk at them.
"Oh really. And who, might I ask, are you," Alucard asked, slowly turning in Vanessa's direction and taking two slow steps forward, causing her to cringe in her seat.
"Va-van-essa," she stuttered.
Before Alucard could make another move, another voice was heard.
"Whoah, whoa, whoa, man. Let the girl be. It was just simple female revelry. And I can't have any damage be done in this class," Mr. Goodwill interrupted, stepping forward.
"And you are…" Alucard prompted.
"Oh. Forgive me for not speaking up earlier. I'm the teacher of this class; Mr. Goodwill. Mr. Oliver Goodwill, your Majesty," he responded, holding out his hand.
Alucard grinned his scary-happy grin before grabbing hold of the offered hand.
"Alucard, werewolf."
Mr. Goodwill's answer came in the form of a wolfish grin of his own.
"I'd hoped it wasn't too obvious."
"It probably isn't to them"-nod at the class-"But to me, and my daughters I'm sure, it's just incoverable."
"Ah. I see."
"But you're quite strong; How old are you? Not very."
"Unlike my cousin and your daughters' two best-friends' uncle, I'm only twenty-seven. But I stopped aging at twenty-two."
"Way to go, Olli-"
"Just told everyone that Kalie and Michael are your relatives-"
"Kalie was trying to keep a low profile in your class."
"And you two retards aren't helping in the least," a quiet, shapely blond three rows down from the Girls said without withdrawing her green-hazel eyes from her book.
"Sorry Kalie," they replied meekly.
"Hey. I have no problems with it," a tall, lanky boy said, stepping in through the door, his chocolate brown hair windblown.
"Oh shuddup-"
"Michael, you attention whore-"
"Get your ass over here-"
"And you too Kalie."
"Don't tell me what to do, you two. You know I care little whether or not you're princesses or not."
Alucard and Seras watched this procession in wonder. Seras wistfully because she never was close to anyone before her Police job and even then she wasn't really; and Alucard shocked and a little peeved that his Girls would allow for their two best friends to a.) be werewolves and b.) be allowed to talk this way to them. But around them, the class seemed to let this pass as the usual norm as the loud, trying-to-be-covered-up giggles cascaded around the room. All except Vanessa, who was trying not to stare at Alucard, who was seated next to Seras, all loomingly because of his intense height and closeness.
Elizabeth and Mariann's friend, Kalie, now seated between and below them with her long blond hair over a shoulder and her legs stretched out and her feet propped against the desk next to her, paid unwavering attention to both the Girls and her book. Somehow managing to comprehend everything going on inside and out of her own world. While, occupying the seat propping his cousin's feet up, it was obvious that Michael's whole span of attention was indeed on the Girls, with his wicked male grin and shaggy, chocolate hair constantly being tossed out of his blue eyes. The same blue shared by his second cousin who was suppose to be teaching the class but was instead standing up front smiling at the happy scene before him. Though exnay on the Seracard-ay.
This needs to stop.
What does, Master?
The way that girl talks to our Girls.
I don't see what's wrong with it. It seems like she's giving them just the right amount of discipline and leverage.
Why can't we be enough? We're supposed to be the parents.
She gives them undeclared rules that they just don't see necessary to break. Whereas we've given them nothing but rules that they've had before but were never actually enforced. And do I hear a bit of jealousy in your tone, perhaps?
No. So you think this is okay? Even if they are princesses and she's not?
Yes. And I don't think you're giving Kalie and Michael much credit. I'd say there's more to their lineage then what you think meets the eye.
Okay then. Whatever you say, 'Mama'.
That one phase was all it took. That one second to get that one word to cross their link into her head and her to 'hear' it, was all it took to make Seras burst out laughing. Everyone stopped to look and see what she was laughing at, but upon seeing nothing but her trying to smother her laughter and Alucard seated quietly next to her with no expression, they all turned forward again. The sound of her laughter, being sudden, had woken Mr. Goodwill from his drifting, and with a clap of his hands, he had everyone's attention once more. Though, the sound of backpacks being unzipped indicated that cell phones were now being brought out. And with the cell phones came sour looks from the Girls.
"Maaaan. I can't believe we forgot to put cell phones on Aunty's 'to do' list-"
"Man, I know-"
"Stupid tiredness."
"I'm not serving cheese with your whine, Girls."
"Oh come on-"
"Ma!"
"Yeah, Ma. LAAAYme," Alucard said, mocking both his daughters and his fledgling. Earning him blank, obviously-teenage looks from all three of them before the sound of Mr. Goodwill's voice broke the awkward silence.
"Seeing the looks on those of you with your hands up, I'll just simply answer your question. Yes. I am the same Oliver Goodwill from Evanescence's Call Me When You're Sober music video. Also, as Mr. Alucard has recently stated, I am indeed, a werewolf. And one of first degree, I might add. I did that little video as a young man, just out of school and in desperate need of money to sustain my uh…habits"-a pause for a wicked smile here-"You can imagine how that sat with the Elders. Me looking so…wolfish (for lack of a better word) and even acquiring the nickname 'Wolfie' from my female admirers. Which is good by the way. Not the nickname, my look. The better your human and wolf traits blend, the higher you are. As you can see with me and my cousin; him looking so doggish (except when he goes all wolf-man which is scary as fuck), and me looking so wolfish even in my human form. Though I'll admit. I'm not nearly as scary as my cuz is when I'm full out wolf. But if you wouldn't mind, I'd like to get back to introducing the class, History of the Undead. Without any interruptions, please…Thank you."
The day continued from there to the Girls' other classes. All of which struck Seras as not at all being as she remembered highschool for freshmen or sophomores. To the Girls' absolute relief, their fourth and last period was Training, the Undead and Damned's version of PE. It was taught by an elder vampire who'd done this job for almost a hundred years now (as he liked to remind them all), and was soon to retire. But here, here was the only class that they had Erik, their brother, in their class. It was also another class in which Michael accompanied them. Kalie only had first period with them, where as he had first, second, and fourth period with them. Third was their 'alone time' as they put it, and it suited them fine for it was a AP Telekinesis class, in which they would be in one another's heads some more and in other people's heads too.
But Erik always had them in good spirits and as soon as the bell rang, telling them to switch classes to fourth period, all they could talk about was whether or not he would be there or if he was skipping today.
"But then again-"
"What's the point of him skippin' fourth period-"
"Especially when it's his favorite class of the day."
And then hell broke loose when, upon walking into the inside combat arena (complete with sand on the ground), they spotted their beloved brother and stampeded to him with a loud shout of "ERIK!" while Seras and Alucard watched from a distance as a boy on the other side of the room turned around and smiled widely before being tackled in a fierce bear hug.
He was a boy who looked to be about eighteen in age and 6'3' in height. Tall and lanky, his person was completed with a shag of dirty blond-almost brown hair, brilliant green eyes, a flashing smile, big shoulders, and bad-boy looks. And he hugged the Girls back with as much enthusiasm as they'd hugged him, and laughed at their antics as they squealed their enjoyment while he pick them up and twirled them around.
After being laughingly put back down on the ground, the Girls seemed to remember they had other family members that were in need of being introduced. So turning around, the two of them beckoned to Seras and Alucard to come over to meet their brother. And the duo walked over, nothing given away in their walks or expression except perhaps puzzlement, since both of them weren't too sure of what to make of this little family reunion.
"Erik, we're sure you heard the announcement Uncle Jonathan made earlier-"
"So we'd like you to meet our father and his fledgling and our…"
"-Uh. Step-mother?"
"Nice to meet you," Erik replied with his hand out-stretched to Alucard and Seras as they stepped up to enter their circle of conversation.
"And you, Erik," Alucard asked, shaking the hand offered.
"Yeah. And yours?"
"Alucard. And this here"-he made a hand motion toward Seras-"is my fledgling, Seras."
"Nice to meet you, Seras," Erik replied, shaking Seras' hand with a smile.
"And you," she answered back with a smile of her own.
The Girls, standing to the side, were happy to see that their brother didn't try to use his famous charm on Seras, happy that he'd kept his wits about him.
Thank you-
Yes thank you, Erik-
We didn't want to have to save you-
Nope. But we would've tried-
Uh-huh.
She is quite the looker. I most definitely would've tried, but you're lucky I'm one smart cookie. And the vibes I was getting' told me I shouldn't try. It'll be nice to have a pretty girl in the family.
Uh!-
Are you calling us unpretty?
Not at all, my beautiful little sisters. Not at all, Erik replied laughingly.
You better watch it, Brother-
We don't take kindly to being teased so.
Just then, Alucard broke through their conversation by putting a question to Erik.
"So, you're their mother's fledgling?"
"Yes. I was her fledgling. I'd actually just gotten my freedom right before she died."
"Well, that's good. It saved you from certain death. But tell me, did you feel any particular liking for her, because I know Elizabeth and Mariann didn't."
"No. You can ask the Girls, I couldn't wait to be my own vampire, feeling once again like a teenager waiting 'til I was old enough to leave my parents' house. I hated that woman. She was a total bitch. I didn't even want to be a vampire, she just turned me out of nowhere. Crazy psycho."
"Ah. I thought so. Nothing I hear about that woman seems to be good. I don't understand why I always pick the crazy ones. But at least this time I might of done better"-putting an arm around Seras' shoulders-"in simply making a fledgling. This way I have no mate but I still have a pretty face around," Alucard said almost affectionately.
"I see," Erik said with a chuckle and then an apologetic smile at Seras when she gave him a not-so-happy face, earning them all laughter from the two girls connecting them together.
Well I'd like to say thank you for being so patient with me.
I hope none of you thought I'd just dropped my stories unfinished.
& I hope I didn't offend anyone. If I have, just email me & I'll see what can be done to fix it.
Also, I'd like to apologize once again for all the centered text. The story, as you know by now, was mostly dialogue.
& another thing, I'd like to say this is my longest chapter ever.
Throughout all my stories here on fanfiction, being at over 6,000 words, Connections beats all the others by about 3,000.
A big WOOT WOOT!! for me! lol.
Well I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.
The next chapter will be the end of this day and the chapters after will be probably shorter and have more that one day in them.
Well. Review please. Thanks a lot!
& feel free to PM or whatever about anything you wish to talk or ask about.