Divine Diva
Chapter 22
The Vacation
Alert: Major time skip
I put the songs I used on my profile. There are links when you go down, I put all the versions I used.
Sorry for not crediting the names I used last chapter.
The ideas belongs to Disaster Butterfly. Thank you for making us have a good laugh while reading!
And I wrote an oneshot, care to read?
Song Used: Mayday! Mayday! (BoA)
Translation by AJ Rich in YouTube
4000 views, thank you!
Dawn looked up at the sky. She couldn't believe her 11th grade just ended. In about 7 months, she became famous, popular, became a singer, earned a boyfriend and told her friends part of her secret.
She headed to the dorm and saw her friends packing their things.
"So, where are we going again?" She asked.
"Um, Leaf's house, duh." May replied stuffing her clothes into the suitcase.
"Right." Dawn said as she started to pack as well.
"Remember that we are going to camping with the boys. You got that?" Leaf asked and the girls nodded.
"You are so eager to go to that camp. Can't wait to meet Gary?" Misty teasingly asked making Leaf bit red.
"No. why would I be eager to meet that perverted playboy?" She asked.
"Well maybe because you like him?" May asked with a giggle and a pillow hit her face.
"Ouch!" May grumbled throwing it back to its owner.
"Serves you right." Leaf said catching it.
"Whatever." May said as she finished hers then started to help Dawn with her packing.
"Thanks." Dawn said with a smile.
"No problem. Anyway, how's it going with Drew?" She asked.
"Not bad. He's been saying 'I love you' a lot these days though, I wonder why." Dawn said, stopping the packing to think.
The other girls giggled.
"Is there anyone being really nice to you these days?" Misty asked coming toward Dawn. She was done with her packing.
"Well, Paul's being really nice these days. But I seriously want him to stop calling me Troublesome." Dawn said.
"Maybe Drew's jealous?" Marina suggested. The girls started to giggle.
"Nonsense. Then he should be jealous at Ash and Gary too. Besides, Paul doesn't even like me." Dawn said as she returned to her packing.
The other girls sweatdropped, can't believing how dull this girl was.
"Uh, yeah I guess. Did Paul give you anything?" Marina asked.
"Mmhmm. A box of chocolate. I really like him, he's a good friend and I trust him." Dawn said with a warm smile.
The other girls sighed mentally while pitying Paul. Dawn's not dull but only dull when it comes to things like this. 'Poor Paul. His crush doesn't even have a single clue about his love for him.' Leaf thought and sighed.
Leaf, May and Dawn returned to their home, their rooms were cleaned nicely and there was perfume sitting on each girls' desks. Dawn had a pink heart shaped bottle, May had red square bottle, and Leaf had green cylinder shape bottle. On the note next to it said, 'Congratulations of passing the 11th grade! One more year left, way to go! –from Red'
Sometimes Red can be pervert and all but he was really sweet when it came to this kind of thing. That's why Leaf didn't hate her brother but like him. Leaf sprayed it on the air and went under the sprinkles, enjoying the scent. She put it on her dressing table then went to her friends', I mean sisters' room.
"Red gave me a bottle of perfume!" May shrieked.
"What's he up to? Tell me Leaf, tell me that he's not planning something evil!" May said grabbing Leaf's shoulders and shaking the soul out of the poor girl.
"Le, e, et, go, o, o,v, meeee!" Leaf said and pushed May away.
"Red's not that much of a pervert. He's nothing compared to Gary and all the boys are like that, even Drew." Leaf said.
"Leaf, Drew's not a pervert." Dawn defended her boyfriend.
"All the boys are. Even some girls, you saw Zoey." Leaf said, her arms crossed.
"Well I do admit that Leaf's boyfriend is a huge pervert and-"
"Gary is NOT my boyfriend!" Leaf protested-yelled at the short haired brunette.
"Oh, right. He's not your boyfriend." Dawn said, May blinked and smirked.
"He's your husband." May and Dawn said with a smirk and getting red, Leaf was about to storm out as Red broke out, "Leaf, you are married?" He asked, Leaf face became same as her brother's name and she stomped out of the room.
"Did I say something wrong?" Red asked his step-sisters.
"Nope. You did fine." May smirked and Red smiled.
That night, after dinner the girls were at Leaf's bed doing Skype with their friends.
"Wish I can be in Green Mansion. But I missed my family too much to actually dare to go there." Zoey said with a smile.
"You will come to the camp, right?" May asked.
"Actually I don't know. I want to but at the same time I have something else to do. I think I will join you at, um, about the third day of the camp, but I'm still not sure." She said.
"Awww, please come as fast as you can though." Marina said.
"Right, oh and I am now official producer!" Zoey said and the girls squealed.
"Way to go Zoey!" Misty said, waving her fist in the air.
"So your producer name is…?" Leaf said, gesturing the redhead to answer.
"Goa (Go Ah) P." Zoey answered.
"Nice name. It sounds pretty." Leaf said. Zoey smiled and looked behind. The girls saw Zoey's step-sister coming in, she waved at the girls and whispered to Zoey in her ear and walked out. Zoey glanced at the webcam then sighed.
"Girls, I need to go somewhere. I will see you soon, bye." With that the screen for Zoey got turned off and the rest of the girls groaned.
"I wonder where she went." Marina said.
"I think I know." May said. Dawn perked up and giggled.
"Yeah me too." Dawn said with a slight giggle.
"Huh? You do?" Leaf asked, leaning toward the blunette.
"Tell us!" Misty shrieked into the camera.
"Sorry, I can't tell without Zoey's permission, and she's not here to give me one!" Dawn said with a grin.
"You are a big fat meanie." Marina pouted.
"I am not big and fat. I am small and petite." Dawn said. Being the shortest girl in her class she felt pretty special about it. But she did want to get a bit taller.
"You know what I mean. At least Drew loves the way how small you are." Marina said. Leaf whispered something into May's ear who giggled.
"What's so funny?" Dawn asked.
"Oh, nothing." May said. Leaf was texting the other girls something and when they all got it, they giggled too. Well Misty was laughing her ass off.
"Meanies. You girls are big fat meanies. Tell me!" Dawn whined a little but the girls kept her mouth closed and lips sealed.
Dawn groaned in annoyance and crossed her arms. She pouted a little and then thought up of something to tease her friends.
"Mrs. Oak is not being nice to me." She said and Leaf turned red.
"Ha! You turned red! You like him, don't you? You are in love with him so much." Dawn said with dramatic tone. Leaf playfully pushed Dawn down and they all laughed.
A week later, Resort Area
The girls gasped as they saw a huge villa, belonging of Hayden Family.
"Thanks Drew!" Dawn said planting a kiss on his cheek. She had to jump a little for it. He blushed with a smile and hugged his girlfriend.
"So where are we going camping again?" Leaf asked.
"You see the forest? That's where we are going to camp out for about a week then come back here and spend the next week in the villa, relaxing." Gary said, putting his hand on Leaf's shoulder. Leaf quickly slapped it away and nodded.
"So let's get unpacked. The butler will take care of the villa while we are gone so don't worry." Drew said leading his friends into the house.
"Thanks." Other said. Paul quickly walked passed him. Drew was not stupid. He could sense that there was something with him. He was being extra nice to Dawn but mean to him. Drew shrugged it off and followed Paul into his villa.
Drew led the girls to their room, one huge room with two beds so they will have to share.
"Don't tell me you guys are sleeping together too." Leaf said, giggling at the thought.
"We are sharing too." Ash said.
"But two-three. Gary and I are sharing and rest will share together." Drew said, pulling Gary.
"Actually, can I share with Paul? I have something to talk to him with." Gary said. Drew frowned but switched with Paul so Gary and Paul can share. Paul wondered what Gary wanted to talk about but he was glad that he can at least have a quiet roommate.
The girls were giggling and laughing, talking about how they will spend their summer when Drew, Ash, and Jimmy entered the room.
"Did we clash your party?" Ash asked. The girls shook their head.
"Alright then." Jimmy said as he sat down next to Marina and pulled her close.
"Geez. Break it!" Leaf said.
"Should I call Gary so you can do it too?" May asked with a giggle and everyone except Leaf burst into teasing laughter. Drew sat down next to Dawn and hugged her tightly. Dawn giggled and leaned her back to his chest.
"You too Dawn." Leaf said with a little frown.
"Too bad." Dawn said as she stuck her tongue out and Drew kissed her cheek.
"Ugh. But where are Gary and Paul?" May asked, wondering more about Gary than Paul.
"They are talking. I don't know what they are talking about though." Drew answered.
"Should I get them?" Dawn asked.
"You don't want to clash their party." Jimmy said.
"Come on, I will go." Marina stood up and walked out of the room and skipped toward the room that Gary and Paul shared.
Paul and Gary
"I told you, you have to wait for the chance." Gary said.
"And when is it?" Paul asked crossly.
"How am I supposed to know? Paul, you just have to wait or make your chance." Gary said.
"Says the one who can't even ask the woman of his life out." Paul scoffed.
"Hey, she practically hates me and we made a promise so it's none of your business." Gary said with a frown.
Marina, outside the room stopped and listened.
"Well at least she doesn't have a boyfriend. Do you even know how it feels to watch them make out? I mean, it's my best friend who's kissing her, not me or someone I don't even know their name. Have you ever experienced that?" Paul hissed at Gary.
"Well, no. But life is full of something unexpected. Was Dawn expecting to you? Why do you even like her, she's a total apposite to you. You are like cold hearted, antisocial, hikikomori-"
"Hey, if I really was a hikikomori I wouldn't even have come to this camp." Paul said.
"Okay! Fine, scratch that out but it doesn't change the fact that you are cold hearted antisocial jerk but she's a bubbly, peppy, bit shy girl who is also the fact way shorter than you are." Gary finished.
"Her height has nothing to do with it." Paul growled at Gary.
"Geez, so any plan?" Gary asked with a sly smirk.
"Not now. I don't want to break her heart." Paul answered with a sigh and looked up when he heard knocking.
The door opened, "Um, do you guys want to come over? I came here to pick you two up." Marina on the doorway said.
"No thanks." Paul said but Gary stood up.
"Leaf's there, right?" Marina nodded.
"You know, you should stop flirting with Leaf. She hate's that. That's why she's avoiding you, try to care about her and show that. Not just flirt." Marina gave Gary a serious advice and walked away.
Gary blinked and Paul smirked at his friend's and counselor's action. Paul stood up and followed Gary out the door.
When they reached the room Paul frowned as he spotted Dawn in Drew's arms. She was smiling brightly. It broke Paul's heart, but as much as it hurted him, he didn't want to hurt her.
Paul sat down next to Gary who was sitting next to Leaf. Leaf was pretty surprised that Gary hadn't put his hand on her shoulder or tried to hug her.
"Is there something wrong with him?" Leaf asked, leaning over to Gary, touching his forehead to see if he has temperature.
"No, I'm fine." Gary said as he blushed a little.
"You sure?" Leaf asked, suspicious about his sudden calm action.
"Yes, I am." Gary said as he grabbed her wrist and pushed her hand from his forehead. He gave a quick glance at Marina who smirked.
"Well, don't get me too worried. It's not like you when you don't give me that flirtatious smirk." Leaf said with her arms crossed.
Gary smiled, no smirk, smiled, "See you are acting like tsundere. You like me." He said. Leaf frowned, "I do NOT!" She shrieked and looked away. Gary smiled and hugged Leaf from behind. Not those flirtatious or playful hug that he always did but genuine hug of love. Leaf felt her cheek getting red from it and stayed still for a moment. Gary whispered something that made Leaf slap his hand away from her.
The next day they headed to the forest. It was a huge forest. Dawn stayed right beside Drew and Paul walked behind them just in case.
"Are we there yet?" May whined.
"Almost. Now stop whining." Drew said.
"I'm sure Dawn is tired too." May said and everyone looked at Dawn who looked really tired.
"Oh." Drew said as he grabbed her hand for a support and have her a apologizing smile.
"Seriously, we've been walking in this hot, moist forest for about an hour. Are we there yet?" Misty asked, her hands on her hips.
"We are here." Drew said and they saw a huge field in middle of the forest with a lake nearby.
The girls gasped as they ran in to the field. Dawn looked especially happy she threw her bags off and started to roll in the grass. Everyone seemed shocked to see Dawn like this. Even May who knew Dawn the most here.
Dawn rolled around in the grass screaming in delight.
"Dawn?" Leaf and May came over and helped her get up. Dawn was laughing, a genuine laughter of happiness.
"What is it?" Drew and the boys came over to ask.
Still laughing, Dawn answered, "I was just too happy to see a plain like this." After her laughter was over she explained, "I was born in Twinleaf. Everywhere is like this in there." Dawn said.
"Ah, then should we go to Twinleaf later?" Dawn shook her head at her boyfriend's question.
"Why not? You seemed to miss your hometown a lot." Leaf said.
"I can't go there." She said with a sad smile.
"Why not?" May asked.
All Dawn was to dance as she walked away from the crowd, looking at the sky, she shouted something that others couldn't understand.
"Um, what language is she speaking?" Drew asked.
"I don't know." May said.
Dawn was still shouting the same thing over and over; "Umma! Abba! Sarang hae yo!" (A/N It means Mom, Dad, I love you in Korean. I feel more genuine when I use my mother tongue…)
Drew walked over and hugged her. She had tears flowing down her cheek.
"Are you okay?" Paul asked as he walked up to them along with others.
Dawn blinked and sang something. More like humming but it was beautiful.
"Dawn?" May called and she looked toward her best friend.
"May…." Dawn smiled and looked up at the sky.
May walked over and Drew released her then May replaced Drew and hugged her.
Few days later
Zoey dropped her bags off at the villa and walked to the campsite alone. When she reached there what she found was pretty cute. Leaf and Gary were nearby the lake, having a pleasant conversation. May was watching Drew trying to impress Dawn by swimming. She was laughing at Drew though, sitting next to Dawn. Dawn giggled next to her. Paul was watching them from the rock. Marina and Jimmy were in the field playing by theirselves and she then saw Misty and Ash cooking their lunch. Well it was mostly Misty trying to cook and Ash trying to eat what Misty cooked.
"Guys!" Zoey called out. Her friends turned and smiled when they found her friend.
"Zoey!" The girls ran to her and tackled her down.
"Guys, it hurts!" Zoey said and got up.
"Right. Well what made you come so late anyway?" May asked.
"Never mind that. I brought you something, May." They backed away as Zoey, sitting on the grass, pulled a music note out.
"It's a gift from my friend." She said handing it to the brunette. The boys came over, Ash holding the sausages. Misty scolded him to put it back to its original place.
"A song." May said. Zoey nodded. "Zoey, I came here to rest, not work." She said.
"Since when was the singing a work?" Zoey asked. May groaned and together they sat on the grasses and practiced. The rest returned to their original place, Dawn had gotten into her own swimsuit; blue bikini, and joined Drew. They swam around the lake happily while Paul watched them in silence.
On the last night of the camp Paul was not having a pleasant night. He had a nightmare and woke up. He groaned, sat up from the ground and looked around. He then spotted Drew and Dawn sitting on the edge of the lake. Drew had his arms around the girl and she was leaning against his shoulder. Paul stood up, and as silently as possible he walked to them.
They weren't talking, but behind the rock, Paul could see Dawn's face a little. It was nothing like when she looked at him. To him she only gave her the friendly smiles she gave to anyone she sees. Drew was different. It seemed similar but it felt different. Paul could feel anger building up in him. Why can't it be him? Why can't it be him who she smiles so happily? Why? What did Drew do to be more better than him? Nothing! Paul watched them kiss, hug and snuggle. He growled under his breath, walked back to his sleeping bag, trying to calm himself down but it didn't work.
His heart began to fill with jealousy and anger
The camping week was over. Drew had studio on the attic of the villa so May could record it immediately.
"We are going to record it again when we go back to Veilstone. Reggie will help us out." Zoey said as May stepped in front of the mike and put her headphone on.
"I just can't believe that I need to sing when I'm in vacation. Why did you do this to me, Zoey?" May asked.
"I didn't write it. For your information this is a song written by Penguin P." Zoey said as she started to set things up.
"Okay, since when were you two friends?" May asked.
"Since long time ago." Zoey answered, May smirked and nodded.
Everyone could hear it so they silenced themselves down when a very soft music began to play.
"As the rain stopped and the clouds,
Began to slowly fade
As if all the pain I felt, would just disperse.
Nervously I bite my lip, and slow down my breathing
Thinking about the memories, I walked away from.
Will I ever find peace, I just wanna fly away.
As I open my heart,
I can't stop the tears from pouring down."
May closed her eyes,
"Screaming Mayday out,
Far away
High above
The world that I once knew.
Falling down
At the thought of you,
Can't we just, move on from our past?
I know now, no matter how, I try so hard.
To always forgive you
What's done is done.
The memories, will fade with, all of your promises."
She opened her eyes again and glanced down at the lyrics.
"Each day just feel the same, memories still hold tight.
Finally I open my eyes, to face reality
I know that the pain fades, time will heal all the wounds
Though I try to laugh now, somehow I'm always brought back to pain."
May sighed a little.
"Screaming Mayday out, far away, high above, The world that I once knew.
Falling down, at the thought of you, can't we just move on from our past?
I know now, no matter how, I try so hard to always forgive you.
What's done is done, the memories, will fade with, all of your promises.
I wondered endlessly, hoping my voice would be finally heard
Hoping that you would change.
But this is reality, and I gotta spread my wings!"
She sang a little louder,
"Screaming Mayday out, far away, high above, the world that I once knew.
Falling down, at the thought of you,
Can't we just, move on from our past.
I know now, no matter how, I try so hard, to always forgive you.
What's done is done, the memories, will fade with all of your promises."
She sang softer, "Now I know, pain endured, makes us strong, and for that I'm thankful.
At some point, the sun finally shines through.
And it's over now~"
The song was over and Zoey signaled it is okay to break into the room and hug the living soul out of May. And the girls did.
"May you are awesome! Why do you have to be so awesome?" Dawn asked squeezing her friend.
"Yeah, thanks. But please let go of me, I'm going to eek!" May shrieked as Leaf squeezed her.
"Seriously! Let go of me!" May slightly gave Leaf a push but when she thought it was over Misty and Marina hugged the living daylight out of her.
"Poor girl." Drew and Jimmy said.
After the squeezing was over May and the other girls headed downstairs and the boys stayed in the attic for a moment and headed downstairs.
"Guys! Let's play a game!" Ash said as he came back from a store.
"What did you got this time….?" Misty asked with sarcastic tone and frowned when she saw what he was holding. Cans of beers. Everyone, some sitting on the floor, some on sofa, stared at him.
"What, we can drink if we want to." Ash had obviously made Drew's butler to get it for them.
"What game?" Gary asked, he didn't look that much surprised when he saw this.
"Truth or dare, duh! But you have a choice, if you don't want to do it you have to drink down beer. In that cup." Ash said as Jimmy brought out a big beer cup.
"The whole cup?" May asked.
"Uh, yeah, duh!" Ash said.
"One shot!" Gary shouted and Drew and Paul groaned.
"Seriously? Remember the last time, Ash got drunk and he emptied our refrigerator." Drew said.
"That's my drunk habit, I eat when I'm drunk." Ash said.
"Dude, you have a medical problem." May said.
"What does that has to do with this?" Ash asked.
"Whatever, let's just do it." Gary said and checked the time, 9 o'clock p.m.
"I will start! Let's spin the bottle." Jimmy said as he poured a one bottle down to a cup and spun it, which landed on him.
"Yes! Jimmy, truth or dare?" Ash asked.
"Truth."
"Did you get hooked up with Marina?" Ash asked. Gary snickered and Marina turned red.
"No." Jimmy said glaring at Ash.
"Fine, spin the bottle." Jimmy spun it and it landed on Gary.
"Gary, truth or dare?"
"Dare." Gary said.
"Drink a cup of beer." Ash said and they burst into laughter.
Gary looked at Ash weirdly, "That means I just have to drink it no matter what." He said.
"Duh." Gary grumbled and started to gulp down the whole cup and wiped the foam off when he was done.
Gary spun the bottle and it landed on Leaf.
"Leaf, truth or dare?" Jimmy asked.
"Dare!"
"Kiss Gary." Drew said. Leaf stared at him weirdly, Gary made a kissing face, smacking his lips. Leaf made a grossed out look, picked up a cup and gulped down the whole of it.
Gary buried his head into his laps, and Ash patted his shoulder.
Leaf spun the bottle, which landed on May.
"Truth or dare?"
"Truth." May answered.
"Who do you think is the most hottest guy in this room?" Jimmy asked and Marina shot him a look.
"Does the butler count?" May asked.
"Well, no." Drew said.
"Why, is it the butler? But he's like 40 something." Ash said and the butler sighed.
"No. Hmm, Gary." Gary did a 'Woo Hoo' and earned a glare from Leaf which made him sit back down immediately.
May spun the bottle which landed on Gary.
"Truth or dare?" May asked.
"Truth." Gary said
"Who are you going to choose, mob of sexy chicks or Leaf." Drew asked. Gary went to his thinking mode and walked to Drew and whispered something at him. Drew smirked and told him to spin the bottle.
"What did he say?" Dawn asked but Drew shook his head.
"I can't tell you." He answered and watched the bottle spin, landing on Dawn.
"Oh, Dawn, truth or dare?" Asked Ash. Dawn figured if she answer 'truth' she will have to answer something about her past which she didn't want to do so she said 'Dare'.
The girls gathered and whispered to each other, then giving Dawn, Paul, and Drew a mischievous look, they said, "We dare you to give a lap dance to Paul." Dawn's jaw hit the floor, Drew was red in anger and Paul was red from embarrassment.
"Do I really have to?" Dawn asked and the girls handed her a mug filled with beer. She gulped, glanced at Paul then the beer then Drew. She repeated the glancing then stood up walked up to Paul, who was sitting next to Drew-he was next to Dawn- and sat on his lap. She started to rub herself a little on his body, he immediately flushed and Dawn reached up to touch his face but when it was a millimeter away from his cheek he pushed Dawn to Drew's lap and ran upstairs.
"Ookay, does that counts?" Dawn asked comfortably leaning onto her boyfriend. Drew looked at her weirdly, jealousy and anger in his eyes.
"What was that for?" He asked.
"What?" She asked.
"Giving him a lap dance? You have your boyfriend alive here and you give him one?" Drew asked, completely pissed off.
"I can't drink. I'm underage and I don't want to. I hate alcohol." Dawn said with a small pout. She then looked at her friends, May know that she can't stand alcohol, maybe they did it on purpose but why?
Anyway the rest of them were laughing their asses off. "That look on Paul was priceless. Why didn't I think up of taking a picture of him?" Gary asked himself while laughing.
"Not funny." Drew said.
"For you. But for us it was a lifetime chance. Oh my God that was awesome." Jimmy said wiping his fake tear off.
"Whatever." Dawn spun the bottle without warning and it landed on Drew.
"Truth or dare?" She asked.
"Dare." He said, not really enjoying the game anymore.
Even before anyone could speak up Dawn said, "I dare you to tell me to say 'I love you'." Drew blinked and with a hug, "Tell me that you love me." He said.
"I love you." Dawn said with an embrace. The girls smiled at her friend. May noticed Paul standing on the stairs, glaring from the dark. May turned and then saw Drew kissing Dawn on the cheek. She felt happy for her blunette friend but it felt weird. She had been knowing Dawn for a long time and she could tell,
Drew is not for her
Someone is for her, but who?
Chapter 22 over
About 4 more chapters until Kenny will make his appearance.
The part with Dawn crying out her love to her parents is one of my favorite parts in this fic^^
Oh and I watched DP in Japanese, I watched 'The Gruff Act to Follow' and smirked at the Ikarishipping moment, recognizing more.
You all know the part where Dawn tried to break Paul and Ash from fighting right? I will translate what they said in Japanese;
Dawn (Hikari): What is it?
Paul (Shinji): Who are you?
Volcano explosion
Dawn (Hikari): That was rude! It's Hikari, Hikari, we've met before!
Paul (Shinji): I don't remember.
Planet explosion
Dawn (Hikari): Seriously? You are not cute at all! That was very rude! –and blabbering goes on-
Anyway, you see? Dawn expected Paul to be cute! Yes! Another Ikari moment found!
And another thing is that Paul's lines; the expression he used was 'Omae' not 'Kimi' or 'Anata'. They all means 'you' except used in different situation. The word Paul used was usually for talking to someone lower than the speaker so it's a rude expression yet it is a expression a husband says to his wife. Well in those situation it contains sweet and loving meaning instead of rudness... ^^ get what I'm trying to say here?
Um, I was watching Kim Yuna's performance while writing the first part of this chapter, I almost cried, seriously this is her last short program! And I'm writing this, currently, about 2 hours later will be her Free skating. Well too bad that it is almost 2 a.m. right now, I need to sleep….
You are going to review, right?
Please? I even had little bit of Ikari moment and the thing with Ikari stuff-eck what am I blabbering about?
Please review if you want to stop this annoying blabbering.