Chapter 4: The Emperor's Playground

Was there a face more handsome? Was there a face more miserable?

Neptune rubbed his bare bronze chin: smooth, baby-fresh, teasing at the future man he'd become. Handsome enough to be famous. To be a movie star, a talk show host, perhaps even a famous athlete. He could become anything he wanted, really.

You had to keep those looks up, if only so people didn't see the blemishes, the cracks underneath. Neptune began to apply make-up under his eyes, winced at the tender dark flesh, the sleepy burn in his eyes that even the steamy shower hadn't been able to wash away.

But good looks weren't all genetics. It had to be worked at, sculpted, finely crafted. Like talent. It was nothing without a healthy dose of effort, a hearty helping of dedication. Without it, they wasted away, became nothing but accessories. Do not become a slave to your advantages, a certain girl had once told him. Back when he had been. Back when the world was simpler.

Neptune leaned on the counter, soaked up the warmth of the bathroom as he stared into the mirror. If he pressed his forehead against the glass, would it suck him in? Spirit him away? A fantasy. There was no escape waiting for him, no secret answer. But, maybe if he locked himself in here forever, he wouldn't have to face the world. That was toxically appealing, filled him with a disgusting need. He'd have to leave the bathroom at some point. Go to school.

Feel like shit.

That's what his gorgeous bronze skin reminded him of now. It used to fill him with pride—gotten him all the girls he'd wanted, all the attention he'd wanted, all the prestige—but that was all gone now. Years of effort and success swept under the rug. They used to matter to him. Or at least he thought they did. Now that all he had was hindsight, it was hard to say what he'd really been looking for in it all.

Maybe he was being too dramatic, but he was no closer to an answer now than he'd ever been.

"Another day," Neptune sighed. He dried out his hair, combed it to styled perfection, slipped on his carefully ironed uniform, yanked his tie snug, and hurried downstairs.

You said goodbye to your parents whenever you were leaving, you said you loved them. Because you never knew if it'd be your last chance. That's what his mom had told him. That's the standard he'd tried to hold himself to. Maybe it was silly to be proud of such a small thing, but it filled him with pride to know he'd never missed a day once in his entire life.

So long as you didn't count the last two months.

He saw his father out of the corner of his eye, sitting in his favorite chair, with his favorite coffee mug, just under his favorite family portrait. The one with Neptune claiming the trophy for the first competition his team had won. His very first one. Gods, he could hear the applause, the whistles, the cheers. He could feel his father's arm around him, hugging him to his side. He could feel the hot tears that wanted to pour out as the coach lined everyone up for photos.

That portrait wasn't on the wall anymore. Hadn't been ever since Neptune quit the team. And Neptune didn't remember taking it down himself.

"See you later." he tried. To his credit, his dad managed to respond this time. If only by turning the page of the newspaper.

Neptune's heart sank into his stomach. Why had he tried again? Had he completely forgotten what it'd make him feel like? Slam the door, get back at him, do something, a deep part of himself demanded. Maybe it was about time he listened.

Neptune headed out the door, closed it gently behind him. Not point in angering his dad any more than he already had.

No point in disappointing him more than he already had.

"Sup man!" Sun held up his fist. There was a face he was always happy to see.

"Hey," Neptune bumped him back. Yeah, it was something all guys did, but he hadn't known it until Sun showed him. It always felt like their personal man-thing, whatever that meant. Neptune pointed at Sun's tangled bedhead. "You know what a comb is right, man?"

"Eh, sounds familiar. Is it a food?" Sun slung his muscly arm around Neptune's neck. Gods, he had a powerful grip. Good thing he was so nice, he dreaded any fool who made an enemy of him.

"Just get in the car," Neptune shoved him off, but hell if he couldn't resist a chuckle. Sun feigned hurt, then slid off the hood of his car before jumping in. A beautiful car, got it for his sixteenth birthday. Dad had saved up to get it just for him. For all his hard work on the swim team. The car used to be so much more then. Now it was just… a machine. A beautiful and expensive hunk of junk.

He jumped inside, caught Sun's grin as he put his arms behind his head and leaned into the backrest. And Neptune, like he always did, wondered if today was the day he'd go right instead of left when he pulled out of the driveway.

Maybe Sun would ask him where they were going. Then he'd say, "Anywhere. As long as it's not here."

So many times, he wanted to run away. Escape it all. Why not do it? There it was, the blue horizon, tickled by misty white clouds. Probably led to the end of the world or something poetic like that. Why not just do it? Screw the consequences, screw the school, screw everything.

Was he too smart to do it, knowing that he was just a kid and wouldn't survive? Or was it because he was too scared, and everything here, everything he'd grown up with was too familiar to run from? He didn't know. He didn't know anything anymore.

"Hey, you good, dude?" A knock to his forehead. Normally he'd get annoyed, but he realized he'd been staring off. And he hated that worried look on Sun's face, made him feel even guiltier about everything.

"Yeah, sorry, I was just..." Chickening out of running away. Again. "Nothing, man."

"Wanna skip?" Sun shrugged. "Got a bad feeling that Miss Goodwitch is gonna give me detention again."

"You act like you don't annoy her on purpose."

"I can't help it! Every guy lusts for his teacher at some point in their lives, right? Remember how you used to rave about Miss Peach?"

Ugh, unfortunately, he did. Never had gotten over that little schoolboy crush, either. His mom and aunts aged like prunes, while Miss Peach never seemed to lose her figure in the slightest. He even remembered flirting with her once. Or trying to. It, uh, hadn't gone quite as he'd planned.

"Watch, dude. Miss Goodwitch is crazy for me. She gives me detentions so she can spend time with me!"

"Uh-huh."

"I swear, none of you guys believe me. You and Yang'll see, then you're gonna be like, wow, Sun was actually right. Miss Goodwitch is smoking hot and being stepped on is definitely a normal fetish to have!"

"Or we'll be admitting you to a hospital."

"You're right. Those heels are probably real sharp. Not to mention her ankles!" Sun swooned, roaring with laughter not a moment after.

The guy was a damn fool. And he knew it too. Sun never tried to be anything but himself, never lived to satisfy others. He was just... honest. You had to envy him for it, because Neptune wasn't sure if he could ever be like that. That fearless. But being close, that at least let him dream about it.

"Come on, we're gonna be late. Let's go!" Sun said, "Actually, let's wait a bit. I can get more detentions!"

Neptune shook his head. "How about you be a good student for once?"

"What? That's no fun."

"Too bad."

"You dick,"

"You're a dick!"

Neptune pulled out of the driveway, snapping comebacks at Sun the whole way. Didn't even notice he'd turned left until it was too late. Maybe he'd run away someday.

Just not today.

~A Game of Hearts~

"Thanks, Ruby."

The girl didn't say anything, simply nodding as he took back his laptop. The screen was completely fixed, the crack and ink were completely gone. How a tech genius like her came from the same father as Yang was beyond him. Wait, had he said that out loud?

"Damn, Yang!" Neptune rubbed his arm.

"Don't be a pussy," she smiled. Sometimes, he forgot she was a girl. She had that 'bro' vibe sometimes. Couldn't deny her looks though, and Neptune recalled the many times he'd been pretty vocal about it. He'd learned pretty quickly how hard Yang could punch. Seemed so long ago now.

Study Hall was probably everyone's favorite class, for obvious reasons. Sure, the rule was to be quiet, but many teachers, especially Mister Barren here, didn't care so long as the noise was kept to a minimum. Everyone paired off into their groups like normal, and usually, it was himself, Sun, Yang, Ruby, and Blake. Or it would be if she was here.

"Blake skipping?" Sun chirped.

Yang shrugged. "You know her. Said she's sick again."

"Right," Sun sighed. Neptune didn't miss the way his face soured, "Sick."

Typical Blake. He wondered if she actually thought everyone believed that? If she was going to lie, she could at least try to do better than that. Neptune thought to ask more about it, but he wasn't very close to her. Left him in moments like this—where he was in the dark—a bit wanting for clarity. Still, if they wanted him to know, they'd tell him.

"Want to meet up at The Spot later?" Sun eventually asked.

"It's been a minute," Yang looked to be considering it, but then her lilac eyes flicked over to Ruby, who silently scribbled at her paper. "Tomorrow, kay? Our uncle's coming to get us after practice."

"Laaame," Sun drawled the word out as he leaned so close to Yang that they were nose to nose. Yang resisted the urge to laugh as Sun whispered, "You're super lame."

"Aww, you gonna miss me? I'll shoot you a nudie so you aren't lonely tonight. Hell, I won't get mad if you pretend I'm your favorite teacher." Yang feigned a moan, "Oh yes, Miss Goodwitch. I want your finger in my—"

"Shuddup!" Sun protested, then his ears twitched as he looked up to the startled professor, who looked around before giving up on finding the source of the outburst. Sun leaned toward Yang again. "Don't say things like that. You want me running around with a tent up? You'd never survive the gossip, Yang! Never!"

The two idiots giggled like gossiping schoolgirls, and Neptune wasn't sure if he preferred their obnoxious roaring over this. They really were two peas in a pod.

Something tugged his sleeve. Ruby. She always looked so small compared to everyone else. Yes, because she was a first-year, but also because she was just very small in general. Big silver eyes, shining with innocence, cheeks tinted with a natural red that was either from too much blood up there up grandma pinching. Maybe both. "Weiss is mad at you."

"Yeah, don't remind me."

"And worried too." Ruby continued, "Are you okay?"

No, he was most definitely not okay. Maybe he would be... eventually. If that was possible anymore. Neptune put up the most cocksure grin he could manage—funny how it used to be able to do it naturally. Perhaps because that self-assurance had actually been real before. Back when he'd had things to be proud of. "I'm fine, Ruby. Really. Weiss is just... " Shit, he couldn't even finish that line. Just thinking about her hurt. "I'm fine."

"You sure?"

Questions like that often didn't get an alternate response. Still, they got him thinking. Would today be the day he confided in someone other than Sun? Would this fifteen-year-old perhaps see the once hottest, coolest guy in school break down into sniveling tears? Sure, it'd ruin the rest of his already fractured reputation, but it was probably on its way out the window anyway with all the gossip going around.

But he wouldn't. It was enough that Sun let him vent a few times a week and it usually made him feel better. Usually.

"Hey."

All heads turned to the newcomer, and Neptune blinked. "Jaune? You're in this class?"

"Just bringing something for Mister Barren," Jaune said, nodding toward the teacher, snoring and drooling on his desk. He glanced over the others, gave a short nod to Sun, but ignored the girls. "I wanted to ask if where the swim club meets."

"You're into swimming?"

"A little. I just wanted to see what it's like."

"If you're looking for people to bite, you can find 'em all over school." Yang cut in with a smirk before holding out her hand. "Yang, by the way."

Jaune stared at her for a moment. But Yang held that smirk, even as she retracted her hand. "Geez man, chill. Girls don't actually have cooties, you know."

"I won't take my chances," Jaune said, then turned back to Neptune. "So, swim club?"

"It's in a building next to the gym. Not hard to find," Neptune said. Jaune was into swimming, huh? He'd never have guessed. He seemed like a guy that wasn't into much of anything but his phone. Must be some girl to keep his attention like that. He couldn't imagine it'd be for any other reason, after all. "Good luck, I guess."

"Hold up," Yang said before Jaune could head off. She got out of her seat and sauntered over to him. Neptune could swear she was swinging her hips willingly, but she made it hard to tell. "You just show up and don't even introduce yourself to us? Biting can be a compliment in the right context, but not saying hello? That's criminal all around."

Jaune seemed to inch back from her, like many guys did. He looked to Neptune, perhaps hoping he'd save him. But Neptune wasn't about to do that. Not even for Sun. "Why the sudden interest in me?"

"I'm unhealthily curious. Terminal condition. Nigh incurable. Come on, indulge me a little."

Jaune grumbled something that Neptune wasn't sure anyone could discern, but Yang's eyes suggested she had. Bright and attentive like a lion that smelled prey. Whatever pheromones she was emitting seemed to work. "Fine, I'm Jaune."

"And I told you my name already. This here's my sister. Say hi, Ruby."

Ruby gave him an awkward wave, though Neptune noticed she barely held his eyes. He remembered when she'd been like that on her first day, taking a while to get used to everyone. She was a little better about it now. But only a little.

Jaune waved at her back, even if it was half-hearted. "Can I go now?"

"Wait," Yang said, "If you're looking for a club, we have one for MA. And don't say you can't fight. We saw what you did to Cardin."

"You mean how I lost? Sure you want a guy like that on your team?"

"If he's fun to spar with then yeah."

Jaune let out a breath through his nose. "I'm gonna guess that biting isn't part of the ruleset."

"Like I said, a compliment in the right context." Yang purred as she stepped closer. Jaune looked all but ready to take off. But the lion had seen the hare and was slobbering at the mouth.

"Mister Arc!" Mister Barren to the rescue. Wiping his lip so as to command what little respect he could find. "Last I checked you don't have this class. Don't you have a class to get to?"

"Uh, yes sir..." Jaune hurried off, glancing back at Yang for a moment. In turn, she smooched at him and he hurried out the door.

Proud, Yang took back her seat. "He's like a little puppy. I just want to rub his belly."

"Why do I have a feeling that it's not his belly you want to rub?" Sun quirked an eyebrow.

"Relax, I'm just trying to be nice to the new guy. He's kinda stealing you and Neppie from us, you know."

It was sort of true, though not exactly by intentional design. Sun was always the first to greet a new person—he'd done a good job making Ruby feel welcome on her first day. Neptune sat with Jaune for circumstantial reasons only. He didn't know anything about him other than that he was probably more fearless even than Sun—until it came to Yang, apparently.

"He always that unfriendly?" Yang asked.

Sun was quick to his defnese. "He's a cool guy, really. Just gotta smooth out his edges a bit."

"Oh, I can smooth out his edges, alright."

"You know that's not what I mean!"

"How do you know what I know?"

Neptune rolled his eyes as the two did their regular back and forths. He stared at the door. Jaune was into swimming, huh. He hoped that worked out for him. Maybe it'd make him feel better about leaving it behind.

But the gap it left in his heart was hard to replace. If it could be at all.

~A Game of Hearts~

The pool, obviously, was the most striking feature of the building. A chasm of clear blue, glistened by the fluorescent lighting above that gave a bit of shine to the lane lines rocking on the surface. Dark green ribbons hung from above, the school's colors, which was funny since there was no green on their uniforms at all. What dumbass had made that decision?

He hadn't expected a lot of people, but there were still more than he expected. Girls and boys alike in blue swimsuits. Coaching each other, sitting outside the pool talking, wading in the water, it was almost a hangout spot more than a place for competition. Jaune suddenly felt like an alien, crash landing on a world beyond his understanding.

What was so fun about competitive swimming?

Jaune grimaced at the pool like it was his worst enemy. He could admit it—he wasn't the biggest fan of water. He could take a bath and a shower just fine, he could swim just fine. So perhaps it wasn't exactly the water itself, even though looking at it made his stomach feel hollow. At least in a body of water like this, you could see the bottom, you could tell what was inside. But float just a bit too far offshore a lake or beach and the darkness welcomed you. What was lurking in those depths? Colossal squids were a thing, but there had to be bigger animals too. And now that he knew Grimm were real, who was to say what eldritch abominations were around? Krakens, leviathans, megalodon sharks, and… other things.

"Hey, you need something?" A girl came up to him, soaking wet, hair sticking to her neck, and looking like she'd just finished sucking a lemon. "Coach won't be here for a while."

"Uh, just looking to find out how to join." Jaune started. He threw on the best smile he could manage, but the girl's sour frown only deepened in turn. He'd have liked to go right to the man who knew everything, but maybe it'd be easier to squeeze out answers from the member of the team.

"You'll need a form, then. I'll get you one, follow me." And Jaune paced behind her to a small office, where she searched through some papers while he stood by. No better time to ask questions than now, he supposed.

"So… you like it here?"

"It's alright, yeah."

"Cool," Cool? Why would you say that, you idiot? "Friend of mine said it's good to give some clubs a try, and you know, that's why I'm here."

"Great," She said in the unimpressed manner possible. It was possible, Jaune realized, that he was not good with small talk. Maybe it was too fast an estimation, but he dared to say he was complete trash at it. Fuck it, why not get to the point?

"Say, I heard that Neptune Vasilias used to be on the team."

"Yeah, so?"

"So I don't see him here. I have classes with him. I guess the rumors that he quit were true then?"

"Well, as you said, he's not here. So take a guess, new guy." The girl found the paper she was looking for and handed it to him. Frowned bitterly. "You have to get your parents to sign it too."

A hint so thick it was a hot bowl of oatmeal. Jaune took it from her. "So, why did he quit?"

"I'm busy. Ask the coach tomorrow or something."

"Wait, just..." Jaune nearly reached to grab her but stopped himself. "I'm... asking for a friend. She's concerned."

The girl's eyes narrowed even harder. Was this the end? Would she pull a switchblade from that tight swimsuit and leave him a bloody, sprawling mess on the floor? Oh no! Oh yes. "Miss snow bitch, huh? You another one of her toys?"

Hey, he resented that. She was assuming he was handsome and smooth enough to be a toy at all. Why, the audacity of her. "No, that's not-"

"Well how about you tell her to fuck the hell off. Should've stayed at her fancy prep school," The girl snapped. "She's the one who fucking ruined everything."

"I don't know Weiss. Not outside of her name anyway. What did she do?"

"Ask her yourself. I'll tell you what though, I hope Neptune is fucking happy with her. I knew he was a skirt chaser but I guess he'll sniff at any ass he can. Especially one with that much money falling out."

She shoved past him, but Jaune almost didn't notice as he stopped to try and piece it together. It sounded like that girl knew Neptune personally. Very personally, if she was that upset by just his mention. Guy like Neptune getting around and being known for it? Shocker. But where did Weiss fit in? Did Neptune quit because of something Weiss did? Did Weiss force him to quit?

"Alright everyone, gather around, let's talk practice." Someone bellowed called. The coach, which meant now was his cue to skedaddle. He wouldn't get any more answers from the swim team today.

Hurrying out without being seen, Jaune tossed the club forms in the trash and headed off to the front of the school. Empty when he got there, for the most part. Except for two people waiting by the benches. Yang and Ruby. The former looked exhausted, wearing a towel over her sports bra, while Ruby sat with her legs crossed, bobbing one leg up and down.

He'd have gone off home right then, but a black car pulled up to the girls a moment later. Yang was the first to get up, and the window must have rolled down because Yang stuck her head through. Started shouting. "You fucking kidding me, Uncle Qrow? Get in the back!"

This Uncle Qrow didn't argue with her, stumbling out of the car with as much lack of grace as a drunkard. Poetic, because he very likely was. The scarecrow of a man snatched at air until he secured the back door, then practically toppled inside, leaving Yang to grab him by his feet and shove the rest of him in, slamming the door behind him.

Only then did Ruby move, and unlike Yang, she didn't look surprised, nor angry. Just... upset. Perhaps numb. Like she'd been praying on something but not been surprised to find that it hadn't been answered. As if she could sense him, Ruby met Jaune's eyes, and he, rather uncharacteristically, didn't immediately turn away. Seemed like they might have stared at each other for hours if Ruby didn't make the active effort to slide into the passenger seat. And just moments later, Yang was driving them off.

Jaune watched them go, but something was picking at the back of his mind. Something about Qrow.

Had he seen him before?

~A Game of Hearts~

"So Weiss has something to do with it? Any theories?" Aunt Peach asked.

Jaune tapped his cheek with his pencil as he pored over his homework, while his aunt worked at her laptop. "Thinking. Shouldn't you be telling me to focus on my homework instead?"

"Spoiler: homework won't mean anything after you graduate. Like a lot of high school, really. Sort of makes me wonder why we still have it," Peach cast a curious glance at him. "Go on. Tell me what you're thinking."

Jaune scraped his teeth with his tongue. "Well, Weiss is a part of Neptune's group. They obviously know each other, perhaps for a while."

"A given, but what about the nature of their relationship? Were they just friends, or..."

"Or they're dating?"

She pointed her pen at him. "Explains why there was so much tension between them, right?"

Too much tension, it felt like. And if they were together, then why wouldn't he confide whatever supposed problem he might have in her? Why did Weiss have to approach him about it? Why was her supposed boyfriend sitting with a stranger and not her? "Okay, so they recently broke up?"

"Smells right to me." Peach said, "But why?"

"The girl I talked to said that Neptune got around a lot. She actually sounded angry. Jealous. Disgruntled ex?"

"Disgruntled lay, more likely," Peach said, "Neptune's broken more than a few hearts if he's got that reputation."

"Weiss's heart didn't seem broken. Neptune looked like he was having it worse."

"So she broke up with him? Explains why he's so upset right now. Maybe he quit the team because of that."

Possible, Jaune had to admit, if a little trite sounding. Certainly not worth diving into his heart over. "But she said herself that swimming was something he loved. A lot. I'd think that he'd want to swim more to keep his mind off her, right?"

"I suppose that depends on how he handles stress. Some close off from the world," Peach gave him a knowing look. "Others bury themselves in work. Its all on a spectrum. He's your friend though, shoudn't you know?"

"He's not my friend," So if Weiss had left him, then why? Was it something he'd done? It couldn't have been too bad since Weiss had tried to approach him and ask if he was okay. And the way she'd spoken, if there'd been some unfaithfulness, then she was more forgiving than most people. She hadn't sounded bitter. Sounded more hurt than angry.

Jaune rubbed his temples. Seemed like the more information he got, the fewer things made sense. Might it just be better to ask Neptune himself, squeeze it out of him? No, he didn't want to dredge up anything bad if he didn't have to. Not because he cared. It'd just be a pain to deal with.

"Ha, this reminds me of when I and my old apprentices used to work on some cases together," Peach said. "Long nights planning, investigating, putting clues together. I have to admit, I almost forgot what its like working with someone."

"There were some before me?"

Peach held up two fingers. "They both learned fast. Really fast. Took to it like naturals. Both intelligent and more than capable in the Heart Worlds. Almost like they were born to fight the Grimm. Born to be heroes."

"Where are they now?

Her shoulders sank. "No clue. They left before they could complete their training. I guess they didn't care much for saving people, in the end."

"Sorry."

"Don't be. I've got you now, don't I? And if you ever meet them, you'll get to show them why they should have stuck around."

"Maybe." Jaune smiled a little though. Surprised at how much he actually did want to. This felt fulfilling. Like he was contributing to the world. Moreover, it was something he was getting better at. Whoever her apprentices were, they were missing out, big time. "So, what do I do now?"

"Maybe reach out to the third party. Do you have any classes with Weiss?"

Jaune shook his head. The only time he saw her was lunch, and there wasn't exactly a private space they could go to talk without alerting Neptune somehow. And that was assuming Weiss would even acknowledge his existence after he'd insulted her. Could he call it a rookie mistake if he was still a rookie?

"I don't have any windows to reach her, and I don't know if I can ask about her without making people suspicious. The last thing I need is Neptune thinking I'm trying to get with his ex-girlfriend." Not because he cared. But just because it'd be too much to deal with.

"Then you have only one option, nephew." Peach closed her laptop, then folded her hands before her with a big, expectant smile. Jaune waited on her for a whole minute.

"What?" he gave in.

"You're supposed to guess!"

"Auntie."

"Do I really need to say it? How else do you figure out someone's secrets? Explore their behaviors, their habitat." Her grin widened, "Infiltrate the palace."

"You want me to stalk him?"

"No! Well yes, but treat it more like you're hanging out or something. You can also check his house, dig through his stuff, maybe he keeps a journal or something."

The multiverse theory suggested that there was an infinite number of alternate realities out in the universe. Where any and every measure of possibility existed. There was probably a Jaune out there who was an adventurer, or one where Aunt Peach was meek and timid, or even one where he was a stripper. Jaune could believe in those. But Peach suggesting he break into someone's house? That had to be impossible. But Aunt Peach didn't look like she was joking.

"That's illegal," Jaune said. Octavia who now?

"Invading someone's heart is all fine and dandy but checking their stuff is a no go?"

"I could get arrested."

"Not if you're careful!"

"I'll feel like a creep!"

"Do you want to help Neptune or not?"

Not if it got him sent to jail. He just got through two weeks of not doing anything morally questionable, but now his aunt all but coaxing him into it. How far into these murky depths would he have to go? Felt like he was already knee-deep. "Do I even have a choice?"

"The tribulations of being a hero are weighty, yet no less necessary." His aunt stood, grinning wickedly as though some great plan had finally pieced itself together. "But fear not, sweet nephew. I've got a plan that can get you into Neptune's house and out without being noticed! You ready for a team-up?"

Jaune had to guess he wasn't going to like this plan.

"Shit, you need a mask and lockpicks," Peach was already running off. "I bet I have some in the basement!"

Now he was certain.

Normally I take a full day's break before writing the next chapter. I did not this time. Glad you all are enjoying it. I'm liking this mystery-esque formula, it's a nice change of pace, though I certainly don't think I'm doing it perfectly. So I'm willing to take any advice you think might help improve this story.

Not much else to say. See you in the next one.

ISA