"Ugh," a low grumble scratched the back of her throat. She walked among thousands of others on the streets of the massive city of Lumiose. However, she hardly paid heed to her surroundings at all as her eyes were too busy buried in the photo Viola had taken and printed. Part of her wanted to crumble the glossy paper in her hand, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She looked down at the picture once again. Yup, still doesn't look any better. The picture showed puzzled-looking Calem standing inches away from Serena, whose face was beet red and eyes were round as Pokéballs. "This looks terrible." Serena mumbled to herself, remembering very well why she was so embarrassed as Viola took the picture.
"You make a really cute couple."
"Why would she assume that?" Serena felt her face heating up again. She pushed her bangs behind her ear and continued to roughly twirl a longer strand around her finger, a nervous habit she had always had. "Although, I guess she isn't wrong," she stared at the two of them awkwardly captured in the photo. "He is kinda …" But she slapped her hand to her mouth before she could finish the sentence. Her skin officially felt as if it were on fire at this point. "What am I saying? Dang it Serena, you are on this journey to discover yourself, not boys." She stumbled between words as her fingers continued to claw through her long hair. "I think I've been disappointed by enough boys already."
'Uh, Serena?' Chase finally stopped his trainer's painfully awkward train wreck of a soliloquy. 'Can't say I'm sorry to interrupt, but,' he pointed down the road as he nudged her leg, 'isn't that the place you're looking for?'
"Huh?" Chase successfully got her attention, but only after startling her out of her embarrassment and causing her to slightly stumble. She regained her balance. "What is it?" She followed the Chespin's gaze to a huge building that must have been at least a dozen stories tall. Two marble Pokéball statues accentuated the enormous entrance doors at the top of a spotless staircase. "Wow … Is that Professor Sycamore's lab?" Her lips parted as she admired the beautiful architectural work. "Calem said the group would be meeting here … I guess we should see if this is it."
"Hi, excuse me?" Serena spoke softly. The blonde woman sitting behind the reception desk hardly moved her eyes in response to Serena. "Uh, is the Professor here?"
"Professor Sycamore is incredibly busy and can't be bothered. I'm sorry for the inconvenience." She spewed as if she had that speech memorized.
"Oh right. Sorry." Serena took a few steps away from the desk, before halting altogether in place.Wait, no, Serena. You need to see Professor Sycamore. Let's try that again, she lectured herself. "I just wanted to thank him for giving me my Chespin." Serena wanted to kick herself for stuttering so horribly when nervous.
"Chespin?" That got the blonde's attention. She looked over her computer monitor to, indeed, see an angry-looking Chespin perched on the young woman's shoulder, probably because of her nonchalance toward his beloved trainer. "Oh, you must be one of the Professor's chosen pupils. He's been expecting you. Third floor to the right." Serena's brow perked inquisitively as the secretary pointed to the elevator.
"Oh! Thank you ma'am!" Serena nodded and quickly scurried to the elevator, away from the uncomfortable desk exchange. Her eyes scanned the lobby as she worked her way to the elevator. There was a very tall man chatting with one of the desk attendants at the other side of the room. She wasn't entirely sure why, but his bright orange hair and peculiar manner of carrying himself made her feel uneasy. Perhaps it's a Kalos thing, she thought as she shrugged off the inkling of doubt.
Serena truly didn't know what to expect. The air became dense inside the elevator as her legs grew fidgety, hands begging for something to tinker with. Would the professor be arrogant? Would he too harsh on Serena for losing a critical battle so soon in her journey? Would he regret choosing her as a recipient of such a wonderful Pokémon?
Ding. The elevator doors opened slowly in front of her.
"Hello! I'm so glad you made it!"
Or would he be really young and with the friendliest smile she'd ever seen?
"I'm Professor Sycamore. Are you by any chance Serena Fiore?" And he already knew her by name? Perhaps she misjudged him by the 'professor' title.
"Yes, I'm Serena." She gave a friendly smile as she followed the lean man further into his office.
"Of course. You look exactly like your mother." He remarked as he set a stack of papers onto his desk, allowing him to shake her hand properly. "It's a pleasure to meet you!"
"It's great to meet you too." Serena took his hand in her own, remaining mindful of exactly how firmly she would shake his hand. "I'm sorry, how do you know my mom?"
He released her hand as he chuckled innocently. "I'm sorry, that must have been strange to lead this conversation with that." His hand awkwardly scratched the back of his head as he spoke. "I knew Madam Grace Fiore from when she was a big Rhyhorn racing star. She was truly phenomenal before she left the track for good. Truth is, I knew that any daughter of Grace must be extremely capable, which is why I chose you as one of my new pupils."
"I see." Serena smiled softly at the thought of her mother doing what made her happiest. "I really don't know how to thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to journey throughout Kalos, Sir."
"No need!" Sycamore laughed lightheartedly. "It is my pleasure to help new trainers get started. Although, there is something you can do for me in return, if you wouldn't mind."
"Anything!" Serena was happy to repay the man for his generosity.
"I'd like to have a quick battle with you." He spoke not too forwardly as he detached a Pokéball from his belt. "Show me how you're raising your starter, along with the rest of your Pokémon."
Certainly not what Serena had expected him to ask, but she couldn't think of a more fun way to thank him, if that's all he wanted. "Of course!"
She had never seen any of the Pokémon he used in battle: Squirtle, Charmander, and Bulbasaur. Of course, as a professor, he probably had access to all sorts of foreign Pokémon, she decided. Nevertheless, she was able to defeat him rather easily.
"Amazing." He mumbled in awe after his Bulbasaur finally collapsed. "I can see how much effort you've put into your team so far. I know you'll go far on your journey." He returned the fainted Bulbasaur to its Pokéball as Sylvester skipped merrily back to Serena's side.
"Thank you so much, Professor." She wondered if she was even awake after hearing him say such things. "It's all my Pokémon, really. I didn't do anything special." She grinned appreciatively at his praise.
"Even with the strongest Pokémon, not just anyone can be a strong trainer. The bond you have with your Eevee and Chespin is phenomenal after such a short time." Sycamore's attention was pulled away from the young victor as two more people joined him in his office. "Hi there! Are you my other pupils?"
"Oui, Monsieur. Sorry to have kept you waiting" Calem enunciated clearly, making sure he wouldn't so much as breathe out of line. "I'm Calem. I chose your Fennekin as my starter."
"Yes, you're the son of Caroline and Jean. Amazing trainers, your parents were back in the day." Sycamore carried a pleasant tone.
"And I'm Shauna; I have your adorable Froakie," the short girl next to him said brightly.
"I'm glad to meet all three of you," Sycamore said with a welcoming smile. Serena still couldn't believe how nice he was, and she could tell Calem and Shauna were thinking the same thing. "I just had a battle with Serena here. It's a little embarrassing that I lost, but it's to be expected. I was never the toughest trainer." He chuckled lightly. "And besides, Serena here is quite the formidable trainer."
She felt incredibly shy under his compliments. This man was supposed to be a big deal, yet here she was, standing before him and receiving the most genuine praise she could imagine. "Thank you. Thank you so much, for everything." She cleared her throat before continuing. "I've actually decided to collect the gym badges around Kalos and hopefully one day, challenge the Pokémon League."
"Is that so?" Sycamore grinned, not appearing the least bit surprised. He directed his attention to the other two. "I presume you will also be challenging the Pokémon League?"
"Absolutely." Calem replied. "I'll be challenging Leader Grant next." Sycamore nodded in acknowledgement.
"Um, I'm actually not." Shauna muttered between clenched teeth, half hoping Sycamore wouldn't hear. However, he heard, so she continued. "While I love battling, I think I'd like to do it for the sake of having fun and making memories, not for the competition. I'm not much of a competitor myself. I hope that's all right with you, Professor."
"Of course!" Sycamore said, completely understanding. "Like I said, I was never good at battling, but that doesn't make my experience with Pokémon any less fulfilling than a trainer's."
"Mmhm! I'm glad you understand!" Shauna said, feeling just a bit of relief.
"As for you two," Sycamore said to Calem and Serena, "I'd say you both have a pretty good shot. I hope you take this chance to bring out each others' strengths and push each other to be the best possible trainers you can be."
Serena and Calem exchanged a glance, both seeming to agree with Sycamore's words. "I'd be happy to, Professor." Serena replied.
Sycamore nodded. "I knew I made the right decision in choosing Madam Fiore's daughter as my new pupil," he said through a smile.
"Thank you," Serena began, her smile faltering ever so slightly. "But just for the record, my mom goes by her maiden name now. She prefers 'Miss Vasquez.'"
As Sycamore registered what the young woman told him with just the slightest sting of bitterness, he realized what the family's situation was. "My apologies," he decided to carry on without asking any unnecessary, intrusive questions. "Well, Serena, it is clear you battle with the exact fire and passion that I was hoping for in a pupil." That certainly did wonders in picking up her mood. "If you would please do one more thing for me?"
"Absolutely." Serena agreed as she felt incredibly indebted to the professor.
"I'd like you to take another Pokémon along on your journey. I am extremely impressed with how you've raised your team so far, and I think my Squirtle will be helpful to you."
"Professor, I can't. You've already done so much for me - for all of us!" Serena replied, although truthfully the idea of getting yet another friend on her team made her heart flutter in excitement.
"I insist." Sycamore shook his head. "Squirtle will have more fun with you than here at the lab with me. I know you'll take good care of her." He held out a Pokéball to Serena as she spoke, making it difficult to refuse.
"Really, thank you so much Professor." She timidly reached for the Pokéball and took it in her hands. She felt Calem's eyes heavily on her receiving the extra gift from Sycamore. Needless to say, she felt guilty to accept in front of her friends. Hopefully, they'd get a Pokémon too.
Sycamore was a generous man who tried not to play favorites. Naturally, he wouldn't be so cruel. "Don't be shy, Calem, Shauna. Please - do take the others." Sycamore added, relieving the room of all tension that had just solidified. Calem and Shauna's eyes lit up as they debated among themselves who would take which Pokémon.
"What do I do … Bulbasaur is so cute." Shauna held her hand to her lips, subconsciously chewing her nails.
"Take your time." Calem said. Truthfully, it didn't matter to him if he got Charmander or Bulbasaur; both were strong and had the potential to take him to the championship.
Finally, Shauna took the ball on the right and released the Pokémon inside. She picked up the smiling Charmander and cradled him in her arms. Perhaps not the most well-thought out move, however, his flame didn't burn her. "I'm gonna call you Bean, you little cutie!" She snuggled into his warm body.
Sycamore turned to Calem. "So that leaves Bulbasaur for you. I must say, she's always been a bit on the stubborn side, but I know you will be able to raise her well."
Calem took the last Pokéball from the professor and attached it to his belt. He didn't mind the challenge - surely, he could handle it. It would simply make things more interesting for him. "Thank you very much, Professor."
The professor opened his mouth to speak, but was promptly interrupted, yet again, as Tierno and Trevor busted through the elevator door.
"Oh man, everyone's here!" Tierno shouted a bit louder than he realized. "Told you we'd be late!"
Trevor held his head down as he entered, "sorry, everyone."
"No, no. Please come in!" Sycamore said. Serena wondered what it would take to get this man upset. "Good, everyone is here!" Sycamore smiled at the entire group before continuing. "There's something I wanted to talk to you all about - something very important." Serena briefly glanced to Shauna, then back to Sycamore as he continued. "A mystery looms over the Kalos region that I'm sure you're all familiar with. The mystery of mega evolution."
The four Kalos-born of the friends nodded silently, baring expressions of sudden intense interest.
Except for Serena. "Wait, I'm sorry - what is mega evolution?"
Sycamore's eyebrows rose, emphasizing the stress lines on his forehead. "Oh, right." He clicked his tongue and gently slapped his forehead. "My apologies. As far as I am aware - and as you have just confirmed - the phenomenon of mega evolution remain generally obscure to regions outside Kalos. Even within the Kalos region, very little is known about this. Pokémon evolving only during battle... it's truly amazing." His smile continued to grow upon discussing the topic of mega evolution. He had most likely devoted much of his research to this topic.
"Wait," Serena halted the impassioned man, "so this type of evolution isn't permanent?"
"Indeed," Sycamore answered. "Mega evolution lasts only for the duration of the battle. It can only occur when both a mega stone and keystone are present. What's more, the extent to which a trainer must be connected with said Pokémon is one of the main mysteries of mega evolution."
Serena twisted the ends of her hair as she listened. The professor's motives in handing out Pokémon were now becoming clearer. "So," Serena began, "even if we have the mega stone and keystone, there's still no guarantee that this mega evolution is even possible for just anyone?"
"Correct. That's why it becomes complicated" Sycamore replied plainly, clearly irritated at his own lack of knowledge. "That's part of the reason why I purposefully chose trainers with such potential." Bingo. "I have faith that you all will help uncover the mystery that surrounds this process."
The five stood in silence for a few good seconds, suddenly feeling a very weight on their shoulders. Just as Serena had been getting the hang of the world of Pokémon, this had to come up and complicate it once more. Although, it certainly didn't sound like a terrible task. If there was a way to pursue making her team stronger, then why wouldn't she? After all, a strong team would help her reach the elite four. Even so, this is something that even the world-renowned Professor Sycamore hadn't yet uncovered. How could he expect a group of kids, or rather young adults to handle this?
The professor, perhaps noticing the pressure looming over his pupils, suddenly chuckled lightly. "Of course, that's only if it interests you. Everyone has a different goal, and each is equally valid. I would like for you to help me with my research on mega evolution, but only if it will be beneficial to both of us.
"I'll be happy to help." Serena promptly responded. True, she was entirely ignorant on this topic, but it seemed like an overall promising opportunity.
"Me too." Serena's head turned in surprise to Calem when he agreed as well. "Mastering mega evolution has always been a goal of mine. Count me in."
"We'll all help!" Shauna beamed. "Right guys?" Tierno and Trevor nodded in unison, all pledging their support.
"Very well." Sycamore smiled brightly. "I can't tell you how ecstatic I am to have you all on board. In that case, I recommend heading to Camphrier Town next. I think you'll find their enriched history valuable in your search."
"We'll all do our best." Serena gave a brief bow. "Thank you again for everything Professor."
The rest of the group also gave their thanks before the five entered the elevator to leave the lab. The three newest pupils tinkered with the Holo caster that Professor Sycamore just gave to them. According to him, it'd be useful for getting into contact with them. Each of them knew their journey was going to get significantly more interesting, to say the least.
As the elevator dinged and the doors opened, Shauna was to first to bolt out. "I want to check out the PR video studio! I'll catch up with you later guys! Bye Serena!" Shauna shouted as she was practically out the door.
"Bye Shauna." Serena joked quietly, knowing Shauna wouldn't be able to hear her. "I guess I'll be heading out too."
"Wait." A hand placed on her shoulder stopped her in her tracks. Calem looked the young woman straight into her eyes as she turned around. "I want to talk to you alone, if you don't mind." His eyes were serious, but his voice was light.
'Well, sure ..!" Serena half-smiled in response. There was definitely too much physical contact in the Kalos region for her comfort.
"Great." He grinned. "I'll be waiting for you at Café Soleil." Calem casually left the lab as Serena stayed behind with Trevor and Tierno. The two seemed to forget Serena was standing just meters away, for she could hear their not so discreet whispers.
"What's with all the privacy? Do you think Calem's gonna..?"
"I don't know, man. He hasn't told me anything. I'm curious, now." Tierno replied, both resisting the urge to snicker. "But why else wouldn't he just call on the Holo caster? And alone?"
Were they implying what she suspected? It honestly didn't take Trevor and Tierno's comments to make Serena's face burn - she felt the blush coming on as soon as Calem asked to be alone. What did he have to say that couldn't be said around their friends? Unless ...
No way. She swore stomach was physically flipping. She almost decided it would be better to call him - no, text - and cancel. It's not that she didn't like Calem, but any change in relationship would complicate things, to say the least. Avoidance is easiest. She could fake a sudden sickness or cramps …
Or maybe she'd luck out and somehow die on the way. But then she'd never know for sure. And part of her needed closure.
In the end, not quite sure how, she found herself standing at the entrance of the café. As much as she felt like avoiding Calem's invitation, she had to know what he wanted. She gulped as she a sudden need to fix her bangs. She denied herself the urge and flipped her hair behind her shoulder to avoid playing with it too much. Just like jumping into a pool.
"Neighbor." Calem greeted her after only seconds of stepping into the beautiful café. It had a very classic vibe, with both bar stools and sofas throughout the interior. Perhaps it would be relaxing if Serena were here under different circumstances.
"Hi Calem." She joined him at a nearby table. Her voice cracked as she responded. She tried to clear her throat without sounding too brash.
"Thank you for coming. I wanted to talk to you because, well … I've been thinking," Calem trailed off and loosened the scarf around his neck. His eyes shifted everywhere throughout the room, but stopped at the entrance. "Woah."
Serena followed the young man's stunned eyes, only to be overcome with shock herself. A gorgeous woman, perhaps in her late twenties, entered alongside a familiar-looking, peculiar man. "Is that Diantha? She's super popular in Unova!" Serena chimed quietly.
"Yeah, here too." Calem nodded, still watching intently. "I wonder why she's here with Lysandre, though."
"Lysandre? Is that the red headed man with her? I'm pretty sure I saw him back at Sycamore's lab."
"Lysandre is famous for designing and distributing the Holo caster at Lysandre Labs. Just a little strange." Calem responded with a skeptical tone underlying his voice. "Why are they here together?"
The two focused on Diantha and Lysandre, who sat together at the adjacent table. Their interest was peaking in the older pair's conversation.
"Madam Diantha, I don't think you understand," they overhead Lysandre. His eyes were almost frighteningly intense and he spoke with utmost authority. "You have always played the role of a beautiful young woman so well. But you know you won't be able to play that role forever. Beauty fades with time, even one as beautiful as you. Wouldn't you want to stay young and beautiful forever? That way you can keep acting and doing what you do best?"
"Lysandre, I wholeheartedly disagree." Diantha gave the man a gentle smile as she gracefully shook her head. "You see, I am not solely an actor, and being aesthetically pleasing is not what defines a person. While I do enjoy being an actor, it would certainly get boring to play the same role year after year. That's part of the fun - playing new roles as I become more age-appropriate for them."
"Even if that means losing your beauty in the process?" His eyebrows furrowed, clearly flabbergasted at this woman's opinions.
"Yes, even so." She kept her smile, looking more curious than threatened, as Serena did just by listening. "Staying forever young… sounds like more of a curse than a blessing."
"You're an intriguing one." Lysandre spun the ring around his finger, staring at his own hands carefully. "But still, the world is becoming uglier by the second." This made Diantha's eyes perk. She looked as though she wanted to speak again, although no words came out. Lysandre waited for a response while his eyes shifted away. He caught Serena blatantly staring at the two. Serena whispered a string of profanities as she looked away as fast as possible. However, it was clearly too late. "Young lady," Lysandre finally spoke again, but not to Diantha. Shit, Serena repeated internally, praying that he wasn't talking to her. "You and your friend seem interested. I'd like to know what you both think." Yes, he was, indeed, talking to her.
Serena's lips parted, but her breathing was too staggered to speak. She found it difficult to look the tall man in his eyes. Calem looked between Serena and Lysandre, then to Diantha, and finally back to Lysandre.
"Well," Calem began, seeing how Serena wasn't going to respond. "I agree with Madam Diantha." He stated surprisingly boldly. "Hypothetically speaking, I don't see anything appealing about eternal youth. I know personally, so much has changed for me in just a few years, so how much will change for the better in just a few more years? Why would you want to deny yourself the chance to see the world from so many different perspectives?"
All eyes were on the young man, who seemed to speak with complete confidence. His elbows rested on the café table, with his hands folded in front of his chin.
"I hope you don't mind me asking. How old are you, young man?" Lysandre inquired.
"Nineteen." Calem answered.
"I see. You are indeed young, and have not yet seen the true extent of the cruel side of time." The tall man looked away from Calem and shifted his gaze to one of the windows. It looked as though it threatened to snow soon. Calem was unsure how to respond to such a strange, condescending remark. "In due time, you will see just how hideous the world can be."
"I suppose I can't say for now, being as 'young' as I am." Calem slightly spit out that word with a sarcastic bitterness, "but it's not like we can do anything about it. Might as well embrace the change and make the most of our time while we can."
Silence loomed over the group for a few long, uncomfortable seconds, before Lysandre spoke again. "Perhaps you're right. But who knows for sure?" Lysandre looked back to Calem with the faintest of smiles. "I'm sorry - I tend to get a little worked up when I start discussing contrasting ideologies. I appreciate your zeal in discussing your philosophy with a complete stranger. I suppose we should change that. I am Lysandre, of Lysandre Labs."
"Yes, so I've heard." Calem replied, politely extending his hand. "I'm Calem."
Lysandre took the young man's hand in his own, giving it a firm shake. "And you?" He then asked Serena.
"Serena." She mumbled in response.
"Pleasure meeting you both. Serena, I hope to hear your thoughts in the future. Perhaps we will meet again. Until then, I must take my leave. Nice seeing you as well, Madam Diantha." Lysander's expression was pleasant, perhaps even passable as friendly. With simply the slightest of nods, he took his leave from the café. The three pairs of eyes followed the man out, puzzled as to what to say next. Serena was in a state of shock. Firstly, she wished she could slap herself for freezing up so badly. Sure, she had plenty to say. Why couldn't she come out and say it? Secondly, wow, she had no idea how Calem could remain so self-assured in a situation like that.
Diantha was the first to break the silence. "Calem, Serena, you are both Pokémon trainers, is that right?"
"Yes, ma'am, and I'm a huge fan of your work." Serena smiled as she nodded, forcing herself to say more than before. Maybe she said a bit too much, however.
Or maybe not. Diantha smiled graciously at the compliment. "Thank you, I appreciate that. I myself am a trainer. Hopefully one day, I'll get to battle with you both!"
"I'll look forward to it." Serena's face beamed with the exciting thought of battling one of her favorite actors. Calem smiled and nodded, as to silently agree.
"I have to be on my way, but I'll hopefully see you around. Take care!" With the most photogenic of waves, she left.
Serena held her hands to her lips, internally screaming. "How did I just meet Diantha and forget to ask for an autograph, or even a selfie? Dang it!" She wasn't pleased with herself in the least at the moment.
"Maybe next time, like she said," Calem's voice snapped her out of her fit of regret, refocusing her attention on her neighbor. "But since we're alone, I guess now is my chance to talk to you."
Huh? … Oh.
Right, Calem had asked her here for a specific purpose. Alone. In person. Serena found it ironically funny that their meeting Lysandre actually relieved her of the nervousness she felt on her way to the café.
"Oh, okay. Well, what did you want to tell me?" She muttered hardly above a whisper.
Calem didn't appear nervous at all. How is he not nervous?
"Neighbor," he began, "I was thinking about what Professor Sycamore said - about helping each other grow stronger." Uh huh. "And I think he has a good point. You and I are the most devoted trainers among our friends. We're the most focused on reaching the top." Right... "And that's why I think we are good together." Yes….
"So I'd like to ask you," Calem paused for a moment. Just freaking ask already. "I think we should be rivals."
Rivals.
Serena stared him directly in his innocently oblivious blue eyes. She blinked a few times, more rapidly than she would normally. Her lips parted slightly, wanting to say something, but she had no words at the moment.
"Would that be okay with you? If I called you my rival?" Calem asked again. "It will give us a sense of competition - someone to ensure we are always improving. I think it will benefit us both."
Of course. Rivals! That's what he meant.
She swore she felt a one hundred-pound weight taken off her chest. But what was left in its place? Was that disappointment?
"Neighbor?" Calem urged a response yet again.
"Right, sorry." Serena shook her head of the idea, trying to focus on question he had asked. "That sounds like a great idea. From this day, we will be rivals." She forced a small smile.
"Great!" A happy smile spread across the young man's face. "But we have to agree to keep it friendly. I wouldn't want this competition to get ugly."
"Same here." Serena nodded. "You're on."
"I need to warn you, though; I've been training really hard. I don't count on losing." Calem said.
"And you think I do?" Serena raised an eyebrow, flashing a small smirk. Maybe she wasn't the poster-child for confidence, but she sure wasn't about to back down from a chance to prove herself.
Calem let out a single chuckle. "This is why I knew you'd make a good rival." He glanced at his watch before picking up his bag from the café's table. "I'm going to head to Camphrier through Route 5. Maybe I'll see you there."
"Sure." Serena replied, "I'll be on my way soon, too. See you later!" So she watched her new rival leave, unsure of what to make of her own feelings about the day's ordeals.
Author's Note: I apologize if this isn't the most interesting of chapters, but let's be honest - it's not the most interesting of parts in the game. But at least we got to meet Sycamore, Diantha, and Lysandre! I also used it as a chance to bring out some of Calem's personality. I will probably have chapter 5 up soon, before my winter break ends. Also I wanna write another Hoennchamp one shot, although I'm not sure how y'all will take it. Best wishes - until the next update!