Okay, I lied. I'm not updating next week, I'm updating today. I must say. This chapter is probably slightly disturbing in my opinion. I even have no idea how I ended up writing this. Well, actually I do. Unlike all the Snow White adaptation, I wanted the huntsman to be evil. Yet at the same time I kinda wanted him to have a thing for Snow White. It's mostly the huntsman's dialogue that I made for him (since I portray him as a drunk also). But it's only in one scene and you'll probably think it's no big deal. Also, this chapter will be slightly dark in the middle with mild violence (thank you, Ross). Anyway, enjoy this chapter because I know you'll will.
Chapter 14: Jealousy and Rage Grows
As much as the Queen wanted to get rid of the Princess as soon as she can, she couldn't. A law was decreed that only when the royal children reached the age of sixteen, they will be allowed to travel outside the kingdom... But when opportunely rise when the King was out traveling, the Queen took her chance. She changed the law so that the age required was fifteenth instead of sixteen. Everything was almost set, now she just has to wait...
It was half a year later after Snow's fifteen birthday that the Queen suggested for the Princess to go into the forest. It was spring and the woman had persuaded the Princess that this was her idea of "warming up" to her by giving her a "wonderful surprise" at the end of the day. Ross Red, of course, was suspicious of the Queen's true intent, but never did he got the chance to figure out what. If he could, he would have gone with his sister, however...
"Ross, as it will one day be for you to become Crown Prince, I'm sure you have lots to study." the Queen remarked with a dark smile.
The Prince growled as he was forced to return to the castle. She was trying to keep him away from Snow on purpose! Just what is she planning?
Meanwhile, in the glade near the forest, the Princess was out picking wild flowers with her mind drifting off from reality. The King hasn't been very cheerful lately. The stress of having the Tinderbox near was just too much for him that he went out traveling, determined to keep it safely hidden. However, that's part of the reason why she went out today. What other way to cheer him up with a nice bunch of flowers?
The other reason was because she really wanted to get close to her stepmother. Despite all the woman does was basically ignored her since childhood, she wanted to believed that there was a possibility that they can become friends. Having that thought alone wasn't wrong, right?
The Princess would have continued trailing off in her thoughts if it wasn't for Burnard, the Queen's huntsman. He had kept a very close eye on her ever since they've reached their destination. The huntsman was known for not only his loyalty to the Queen, but for his attraction towards young women... And don't get me talking about his drinking at the bar, that's when he can get a bit crazy and... Creepy. Hence why Snow White kept a fair distance from the older man.
As she turned her attention away from the huntsman towards a small pond, there she notice a familiar little friend. Memories flooded her mind as she remembered meeting this once lonesome creature.
It was on a dark snowy night in the middle of winter. There was no light except from the brilliance of the moon and the twinkling stars. The Snow Princess, dressed in blue and silver, was out playing in the snow until she heard a small voice.
"Help me..."
Looking around, the young maiden couldn't locate where the voice was coming from.
"Help me..."
"Where are you?" she called out.
"I'm here..."
"Where?"
"Under the snow... Near the lake..."
Snow rushed to the sound of the voice, hoping that she wasn't too late. The voice sounded weak and cold. And she was not going to abandon someone when they needed her help! However, when she got to the lake, she didn't see anyone.
"Where are you?"
"D-Down... H-Here." the voice answered.
When Snow White looked down, to her surprise, it wasn't a person who called out to her, but a little frog shivering in the cold. How very odd for a frog to talk...
Picking him in her cupped hands, the little amphibian muttered, "T-Thank you...'
Later that day, the Frog Prince awoke to find himself in a familiar room. Judging from the fine quality of the bed, the curtains, and all the other objects, James suspects that he's in a room belonging of royalty. He almost jumped at the sound of a young maiden's voice startling him.
"Oh, thank goodness you've awakened."
Turning his gaze, the Frog Prince found himself staring face to face with the person who've saved him. She was such a beauty, with lovely brown hair in curls, eyes that are the shade of ice, beautiful red lips like blood, and pale skin like the snow itself. The young woman was wearing a light blue dress, but what really caught James' attention was the tiara on her head.
"Are..." the Frog Prince paused, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Are you the one who saved me?"
She gave a nod.
"Thank you." he replied. However, the girl's reaction was something that perplexed James. A small giggle escaped from her lips. "What?"
"You already said 'thank you' to me before." the girl answered.
"Oh, well..." James felt awkward at the presence of the Princess. "Can I know the name of my savior?"
"Maybe..." she teased. "But in return for my name, I wished to know yours."
"Very funny, Princess." his tone softened. "It's James."
Another giggle came from the girl. "Well, it's nice to meet you, James. I'm Snow White."
"Snow White," James gave a little bow. "I am honored by your presence."
"Tell me, why were you out in the cold, James?"
The Frog Prince explained of his travels, however, he exclude the mentioning of the fact that he was an actual Prince cursed to take the form of a frog. Despite he had kept that tiny detail from Snow White, he had learned much about her life. The Princess lived a lonely life with her brother. She didn't have friends since her stepmother forbade her from making any.
Later that day, James met Ross Red, the soon-to-be Crown Prince. The Frog Prince can clearly tell that the Fire Prince highly disliked the Queen since every comments he makes contradicts with Snow White's telling of the story.
"Ha, she won't let Snow make friends because she's afraid that..." Ross makes air quotes. "Her beauty shall spread and Snow White will be the fairest."
"Is that the only reason?" James wonder.
"Yes, which is why I HATE her!" the Fire Prince exclaimed in frustration. "If I ever become King, the first thing I'll do is kick that hag away from here."
"Ross, that isn't nice." Snow argued as she stroke her eagle's feather.
"But she's the one who's not nice!" Ross counters.
Getting up from her seat, Snow playfully started pushing her brother towards the door.
"Alright, I think you should go outside to cool off. After all, it's not polite to discuss such matter when we have a guest." after that last part, the Princess gave a wink at James before leaving the room with her brother.
Throughout the entire month, Snow White has kept James company as she help him get back to full health. He was touched by the Princess' kindness and willingness to befriend him. It wasn't soon that he know that he had fallen again. It was a good thing he had kept some of his personal life discreet, because now... Fully aware of his love for Snow White, he can never have her know, out of fear of what fate has in store for them if they ever become together.
Still, that doesn't mean he can watched over her to make sure that she lived a peaceful life.
Making sure that she wasn't watched, the girl asked in a low whisper, "James, what are you doing here?"
Before the Frog Prince had a chance to explain, he notice the huntsman approaching the Princess from behind in a dangerous manner.
"Snow, be careful." he warned.
The Princess didn't understood until she saw her reflection on the clear surface. The huntsman was behind her, but the specific detail that got her alert was the dagger in his hand! Staying still to look vulnerable, she caught the man by surprise. Quickly using her reflexes, she used her magic to freeze the man's legs before he could make a move on her.
Turning to face him with a hint of anger in her eyes, she demanded, "What is the meaning of this?!"
"Wha- Forgive me, Princess, but Queen's orders." using his strength, he destroyed the block of ice that had hindered his movements.
Now free to move again, he resumed to strike the girl down. However, using her powers once more, Snow White coated the grass with ice, causing the man to slip. He quickly got up, but James blocked his view.
"Run, Snow!" he yelled while keeping the man busy.
"But-"
"Don't worry about me, just go!"
The Princess was forced to heed as she started to run deep into the forest.
"No!" Burnard yelled at his failed attempts to kill the girl. Finally taking the Frog Prince off his face, he threw the little creature at a nearby tree hard. Staring at the unconscious frog who had ruined his chance with eyes filled with disgust, he muttered, "Since you've caused my prey to run, it shall be your heart I shall take!"
The huntsman proceeded and would have done it until a small eagle came swooping down to snatch the frog to safety.
"NO!"
Gaining conscious, James found himself safe, thanks to Snow White's familiar.
"Oh, thank you, Aquila."
The eagle gave a small chirp before leaving the Frog Prince on the balcony of her owner's room. Entering the Princess's room, James make haste to the room opposite to Snow White's. He needed to informed Ross Red and confirmed that his suspicion was proved correct.
The Fire Prince was in his own room, studying. He sighs in frustration until his lion cub licked his fingers.
"Hm?" taking notice of the cub's playful manner, the Prince smiled. He really needed some time off. "I know, that old hag is just awfully dreadful isn't she?" he asked as he scratched the cub's tummy. However, the cub stops his playful manner then he notice something behind the door. "What is it, Leo?"
The cub run towards the door and looked at his owner. Understanding the situation, the Fire Prince opened the door. When he didn't see anyone, he looked down to see a tired-looking frog.
"James!" he quickly took the frog in his hands and closed the door. "So, what did you found out?"
"You... You were right- about the Queen. She sent that huntsman after Snow White."
"I knew it, that wench would do something like this..." he trailed off. "Stay here, I'll be right back."
Deep in the forest, the Snow Princess had wandered all day... And it was getting dark. Luckily, she had found herself a cottage. Before she reached the door, she stopped. What should she do? It wasn't right to enter a stranger's home. The debate, however, didn't last long in the girl's head when sleep started to overcome her. So she entered inside to find one bed perfect for her. The tired Princess slept in the last bed and before she knew it, everything went black.
It wasn't till later in the evening that Snow White woke up with a slight fright to find herself staring at seven little faces.
"Oh, hello." she gave a friendly wave, slightly embarrass of herself.
The seven dwarfs looked at one another before looking back at the Princess.
The one in a red cap spoke first, "Who are you? And are you a Princess?"
"Well, yes. I'm-" Snow White was interrupted when the dwarf in red got all excited.
"See?! I told you she is a Princess!" turning back to face her, he asked, "What's your name?"
"Snow White."
Immediately, the dwarfs all gasped.
"The King's daughter?!" all exclaimed in unison.
The dwarf in red then ordered, "Alright, get in order, we have to introduce ourselves to the Princess!"
Quickly, the dwarfs ordered themselves in the color of the rainbow.
The red one replied, "It's an honor to have you in our humble home, Princess. I'm Hematite."
Going down in order is Vanadinite, Jasper, Aventurine, Kinoite, Lapis, and Calcite.
"So, Princess-"
"You don't have to call me 'Princess', Jasper. Calling me by my name is fine." Snow White assured.
"Okay, Snow White." Jasper said slowly, afraid of disrespecting the Princess.
"Why are you here, Pr- I mean Snow White?" Lapis asked Jasper's question for him.
"Well..."
Back at the castle, Ross Red was on the balcony, waiting for any signs of his sister. She was very late and that wasn't like her. It was a good thing he sent James to watch over Snow, but he couldn't help, but felt something else was wrong. Earlier when the King returned from his travels to hide the Tinderbox, he had wondered where was Snow White. As much as he hated lying to his father, the Fire Prince did so the King wouldn't be worried like him.
The young man snapped out of his thoughts when he noticed a figure making its way into the castle. It was very hard to see in the dark and the moonlight barely shined tonight. Ross quickly hid behind a wall as the distant footsteps echos the dark hallways. The sound of each steps was getting closer, but it didn't sound right. It wasn't in rhythm, so clearly it wasn't his sister. Her strides are more slow and graceful. That only leave one other person to not cross off the list: the huntsman.
As Burnard got closer to where Ross was hiding, the Fire Prince quickly grabbed the drunk man aside.
Slamming him to the wall, Ross demanded in a harsh, yet low voice, "What have you done? Where is Snow White!"
The man didn't answer, just giving the Prince some chuckles.
However, when he opened his mouth, he slurred his words, "He, I don have to tell ya any- Hic! Anything~"
Noticing a small bag that seemed to be dripping some sort of liquid, the Prince continued to interrogate, "What is this?"
"Hic- Open da thing an you'll find out... He he~"
Ross wasn't sure if he wanted to know, but he needs to confirmed it. Without taking those eyes off the drunken man, he undid the satchel. He felt something that is the size of a palm. What could be in this small bag?
'No, don't let it be true...'
Taking the object out of the bag, Ross took his eyes off the huntsman for a brief moment to stare in horror at what exactly he is holding. A heart.
"No..." the Prince could only muttered in dread.
Leaning in a bit, the huntsman gave a rather creepy smile, "This... Is the fate of all who fell victim to the Queen's jealousy."
Anger filled the Fire Prince like the raging flames as he slammed the huntsman to the wall with more force than last time, dropping the heart.
"You *******!"
Burnard was slightly surprised at that sudden outburst, especially from the Prince. Unable to control his temper, Ross channeled his anger to his fist as he gave the elder man a punch to the face hard. The huntsman fell to the ground, a small chuckle escaped his mouth. He spit to the ground before resuming eye contact on the Prince.
"He, what ya gonna do 'bout it, huh? Kill me? As soon-to-be Crown Prince, that would not bode well for ya. Oy, what would ya father think of you?" seeing the extreme anger in Ross' fiery eyes, the huntsman continued taunting him. "Though if I had my way with it... I'd rather have ya sister to meself than kill her on Queen's command."
Disgusted at the sight in front of him, Ross left with a growl, but not before kicking the drunk in the stomach.
"Oof!" he coughed. "He, that's all ya got? You've grown too soft, Prince Ross Red." he mocked as he got up. "Walk- Hic- Ing away? Just like the Princess~"
The Fire Prince cannot take it any longer. This guy was PRACTICALLY telling him to end his miserable life. Unbeknownst to the huntsman, Ross has silently drawn out his sword. Swiftly turning, the Prince once again pinned the man to the wall with one hand. Only this time, he had the blade of the sword near the old man's throat with the other.
"You are going to truthfully tell me what of my sister's fate AND what else the Queen has commanded from you." Ross spoke in a rather calm, yet threatening tone.
"An why would I~ do that?" Burnard rolled out the I. He couldn't see the Prince tilting his sword, but he can feel the blade was starting to make contact with his skin. Cold metal against human flesh. At that moment, he knew the Prince wasn't fooling around and he was starting to run out of patience for the answer. "Alright. Alright!" the huntsman cooperated. "That wasn't her heart."
"What?"
"She ran away."
Where?" Ross asked. When the drunk didn't answer, he repeated his question with annoyance in his tone, "Where?"
"I dunno! Okay? Hic.. Now lemme go or I'll tell the King that you've threatened my life!"
"And I'll tell him that you've committed treason against my sister and lied at my face!" Ross counters.
"Then I'll tell the Queen that your sister still lives. She'll then hunt your sister down until she sees to it that the Princess truly dies. Then what, Your Highness?" Ross became silence, unsure of what to do now. Finally able to see the Prince's hesitating look, thanks to the moonlight, the huntsman offered, "Look, if ya don't threaten me life, I won't tell the Queen."
Ross knew that the Queen will eventually find out, either way. However, at least, it will give him time to track down his sister and warn her of the impending danger. He sighed, lowering his sword completely and loosening his grip on the man, but only by a little.
"You better not... Or death shall gnawed at your corrupted mind and miserable life. And I'll tell you, I'll make sure that it won't be a painless one. I can assured that as Prince."
Giving him another blow in the stomach and shoving the man aside, the Fire Prince waited for the drunk to picked up the heart and to walk down the hallway before returning to his own room.
As he makes his way down to his room, Ross stops to hear the sound of chirping. The chirps were coming from Snow White's room. Opening the door to the slightly chilled space, Ross noticed the winged familiar, Aquila, was trapped in a cage. Knowing that Snow would never caged her animal companion, Ross freed the eagle using his power over the flames to melt the enchanted bars. Quickly writing a message on a piece of paper and tying it onto the bird's leg, all the Prince needed to do was whisper:
"Find Snow."
He gave the eagle a little boost as she flew into the dark stormy skies. Thunder started to rumble as the ominous clouds captured the moonlight in its dark mist.
It was in the early morning the next day that Ross woke up to hear the sound of tapping against glass. He jolt up to find Aquila standing on the window sill on the other side of the window. Opening the small door to let the eagle rest on his arm, the Fire Prince notice a piece of paper in her beak. Taking it out, Ross unrolled the paper to find a message to him from Snow White.
Don't worry about me, Ross.
I'm safe in the hands of the seven dwarfs in the forest.
From,
Snow
P.S. Should I return home? What if Father worries about me?
Does he know of the incident?
Sighing in relief, the Prince got up from bed to write another message. His letter advised her to stay put until he finds a way to expose their stepmother's wicked plans. After sending Aquila with the new message, Ross dressed up to meet with James in the lake to tell him of the news.
Three years have passed since Snow White had run away. Unfortunately, the Mountain Kingdom has suffered as a result of the Queen's vanity. Ross Red, now known as Crown Prince, trained in knighthood to enhance his training in using his sword. It wasn't much of a loss since he get to learn new techniques when it comes to fighting with a sword. Plus, it really helps distracts him from his annoying stepmother. Over these three years, unlike Snow, Ross had witness as the village is slowly falling into poverty. Children left to starve, men and women were left to beg for money, taxes increase... All for that old hag's selfish motives. One of the many reasons why the Fire Prince couldn't understand as only one question always replayed in his mind.
'Why hasn't Father done anything to prevent this from happening any further?'
Meanwhile, Queen Galiena was in her room with the subtle Truth Mirror. Over these past three years, the Queen has been celebrating her victory over Snow White's death. She remembered that day perfectly when her loyal huntsman came through those big doors. Him, kneeling on his knees as she wondered in curiosity. That thought "has it been done?" played in her head as she ordered him to looked up. There, she saw it. That smirk was all she needed to confirmed that the deed was done. She was so focused on that smile that she failed to notice that purple bruise on his right cheek. That memory played out like it was only yesterday.
"You did it." she smiled excitedly like a child.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Did you brought it back?" she stretched the it.
"Yes." he answered as he showed her the blood soaked satchel. She ordered him to opened it slowly, wanting to savor every moment. He did as he was told and reached into the bag. He then pulled out a red, blood-covered organ. It laid resting in the palm of his hand. In the Queen's eerily dark room, it was hard to see, but as if on cue, lightning lit the room for a split second.
She smiled when she saw what she wanted to see. A heart.
She gasped, "Snow White's heart."
"For you, Your Majesty."
Taking the heart from his hands, the Queen laughed as she studied the weight and size of the organ, now in her own hands.
"My, what a heavy heart, it can't possibly be hers." she joked, failing to notice the huntsman quick frown. "You're dismissed."
He gave her a bow before leaving. Once alone, she laughed as she twirled around with the heart in her hands.
"Ah, yes." taking a closer look at the organ, she muttered, "Snow White's heart... Now I'm the fairest in all the lands!"
She twirled some more, laughing to her own heart's content until she had exhausted herself. Placing the heart safe in a box, the Queen happily sighed as she collapsed on her massive bed.
The next day, the Queen brought the box down to the kitchen. She had instructed the main cook to boil whatever was inside of that box. When asked by the cook of what was inside, she answered with a smile:
"Why, that's my meal."
Waiting patiently for her breakfast, the Queen was getting all giggly when the cook approached her. Setting the plate in front of her, the cook lifted the cover.
"You've done your job. Now shoo. Let your Queen enjoy her meal."
Knowing that Snow White is now dead, she muttered, "To the fairest of them all!"
She cut a piece, used a fork, and have a taste of the piece. Licking her lips after that small bite, she eats until there was no more heart to consume. A pleasurable feeling swept in her mind.
'Snow White's heart, the heart of the former fairest, taste very delicious.'
It had been that during those three years of celebrating, the Queen has forgotten to check with her mirror. Looking at the glass confidently, she asked, "Mirror, Mirror, on the wall... Who is the fairest of them all?"
The same face of an elegant woman appeared as she answered:
I'm sorry to say this, Your Majesty
You wished to know the truth which I hold,
What you asked of me is very bold...
I have nothing to say, except that Snow White is still the fairest in all the land...
"What?!" the Queen screamed. "But- I had her heart... I ATE HER HEART!"
Oh, Your Majesty, you're too quick to judge
To understood all the signs...
Your huntsman had failed to catch your prize.
You did nothing, but put him to bad use
To fully understand that it was all a ruse.
The heart which you consumed three years ago...
Allow me to shed some light to make it all clear,
The heart you ate belongs to that of a deer.
And so just like you've feared,
Snow White is the fairest, especially on this year.
"No..." she trailed off and in a fit of fury, she yelled, "Lies, all lies!"
However, she knew the truth. The mirror doesn't lie. Which could only meant one thing. The huntsman had, no. He DID failed her. Drawn to this realization, she let her screaming do all the talking.
"HUNTSMAN!"
After sending the huntsman to his demise, the Queen sat on her throne, already decided to call the head of the guards. However, what she didn't know is that the captain just happened to be her stepson.
Ross Red entered the room, dressed in a suit of armor with the helmet to conceal his face. He knelt to the ground, fooling the Queen to think that he was one of her guards.
"What is it that you need of me, Your Majesty?" Ross contained himself from giving away his identity.
"You are to go into the forest and track down Snow White. She has taken hostage in the house of seven horrendous old men." she ordered him. In a fake worried tone, she added, "Oh, my poor Snow White. Lost and held captive against her will by those indecent little men. Who knows what they could be doing to her?"
The Fire Prince couldn't help, but felt a little amusement from that remark.
"As if you're not doing anything suspicious or indecent at all. None at all." he commented quietly out of earshot. In a louder voice, he replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Good, bring her back home safely." she instructed.
'I won't bring her back, but I will make sure she's safe.' Ross thought as he left the Throne Room.
Venturing into the forest wasn't a problem. It was only worth a day's ride. When Ross was offered company with some of his father's guards, he decline, needing to go alone. The King's guards were hesitant, yet respectful of the decision. They know that their Crown Prince was capable of fending for himself. The Fire Prince traveled into the deep woods without much confusion. He knows where he was going because of the slow decrease in temperature. Once Ross got to the dwarf's cottage, his sight fell onto a familiar figure. His sister was no longer a young girl or a stubborn teenager, but a beautiful grown young woman.
A smile crept on his face as he shouted, "Snow!"
Having heard of her name, the Princess turned as her pretty blue eyes widen at the sight of her brother whom she haven't seen in three years!
"Ross!" she cried out. The twins ran to share a hug. "Is it really you, Ross?"
A chuckle escaped from him, "Yes, it is."
The younger twin was the first to pull away to look at her older twin in awe.
"You've grown taller." she noted.
"And you've grown even more beautiful than I last saw you, Snow." a voice remarked.
The Princess was startled of the voice whom she haven't heard for a while, "James?" The Frog Prince revealed himself as he hopped onto Ross' shoulder. He then hopped to Snow White's hands. "James, it's been so long..."
"Agreed." James mused.
"But what are you two doing here?" Snow asked as she turned her gaze onto her brother.
His eyes became serious and that smile that was there a minute ago disappeared, replaced with concern.
"Snow, our..." he paused, knowing that word he hated will have to be said. "Stepmother asked me to bring you home, but it's all a lie. She still wants to kill you."
"But why?" the Princess didn't quite understand why the Queen would go far to have her dead. "Surely, this must all be a misunderstand-"
"Snow, you haven't seen what had happened to our home." Ross interrupted.
"What?"
"The Queen is causing the kingdom to suffer." James explained. "Snow, as much as I understand how much you wished to befriend the Queen..." he paused. "I don't think it's possible."
"Oh..." she sadly remarked.
All this time, she thought she could befriended her stepmother. Even after that incident three years ago, she wanted to believed that there was a reason behind it... But all the Queen did was brought pain to her loved ones. To her brother, her father, her kingdom, her friends, but most of all... To her, after all she did want to get closer to the woman in the first place.
The Princess didn't talked much after the conversation. Instead, she invited Ross and James to her friend's house. Although, James can tell that she wanted to forget about their short-lived conversation. He seen it in her eyes. The two Prince stayed until evening, leaving when it was getting late. However, before they left, the dwarfs gave Ross a new sword. It's blade burned with flames. He thanked the dwarfs before setting off.
Wow, we sure got a lot of info didn't we?
1) Burnard is a German name meaning strong as a bear. If you know the story of Snow White and Rose Red, a bear was in the story. However, the bear turns out as the King's eldest son. The huntsman only connects to having the name while James could possibly alludes to the bear since he is a Prince who was cursed and is the eldest brother of the unnamed prince of Briar Rose.
2) I named Snow White's eagle 'Aquila' because the name is Biblical/Latin for eagle as well based on the constellation. I don't know the gender of her familiar because in the Thief in the Tinderbox, Snow White called it "him", yet the Detective called it "she". Some say Aquila is a unisex name, so why not give it to the eagle, right? I'm going to assume it's a female, though.
3) "Leo" short for "Leontius"or Leontios is Greek for lion, hence named Ross' lion cub.
4) I would have named the dwarfs after the seven days of the week, but I wanted the names to be more unique. Although naming them after the days would make more sense, it wouldn't be uncommon. So I used the gemstones names that relates to the seven chakra instead.
5) Lastly, I've always wondered how Ross got his sword. So, taking inspiration from Odna, I made the seven dwarfs crafted his flaming sword.
I can't believe I made Ross used the B word. But I can imagine him using it, especially in that situation. Not sure if they used that word back in the old days, though. Well, that all. Now, see you next week. Happy Election Day?