Oh, Sothis have mercy upon me.
"Anselma, will you make me the happiest man in the world and take me as your husband?"
The words reverberated inside of my skull, the array of diamonds shined in the light as they rested on my left ring finger. A gift from my beloved, that surely made my face burn a bright red every time that my mind wandered back to it. While its weight couldn't hope to compare to that of a crown, the familiar sensation brought forth a mixed bag of emotions from a time long past. Multiple audible sighs were released with the light clapping of heels trailing beside and behind me, yet ultimately ignored in the midst of my rapid train of thought.
This can't be real, King's Consort! I can hardly believe this, has Lambert gone mad?! Have I?
"Patricia," A woman's voice failed to cut through the rush of those same traitorous thoughts of mine, but I managed to catch an exasperated sigh coming from the same place. Instead, I shook my head to focus on the papers detailing the deliveries that ought to have arrived earlier today. If only I could find someone that had kept track of where it all had been left, "Daring you need to slow down, you're going to give all the maids gray hairs if you keep looming over them with an eye over their shoulders as they work."
Drimtri had been bubbling with excitement for the opportunity for his friends and their families to finally know me as his mother. I couldn't rest while knowing that this event had to go perfectly, my tendency to avoid matters pertaining to the nobility was finally going to bite me in the ass just as it did in Adrestia if something didn't change soon. So, it meant finally getting to used to rubbing shoulders again, for their sake at least.
That hadn't been something where I could turn Lambert down, goddess only knows that my heart would've rebelled had he asked months ago or months after today. Sothis knows what sort of temptation I face, one which I have no defense as it would ruin others so undeserving of being associated with me. Such a union would bring them nothing but grief, how do always getting myself into such messes?
Goddess, what have I gotten myself into?
"Ma'am, if you're looking for the decorator that visited the other day, then you won't find them in the main hall, but residing in the south wing. His majesty didn- Lady Patricia?!" Partly out of breath, I mumbled a noncommittal 'thank you' to the crimson haired woman trailing behind me with a clipboard clutched against her chest. A series of apologies left my lips as in a rush I passed various servants and knights as the red head called out to me, "Please give me a moment to catch up, your majesty!"
A month was barely enough time to prepare for an imperial wedding, and while not nearly the same, a holy royal wedding was bound to be just as grand. We were barely but two weeks in setting things up and making the castle presentable, but nowhere near ready still. Invitations had just come back with responses, yet we hadn't even finalized our own attire for the event.
What was Lambert thinking with going through with this so soon?!
"I'm going to pinch her," Cornella's voice brushed past my ears, only catching bits and pieces as I confirmed the availability of musicians in the not so distant future. While debating a rather extreme option to get my attention that in itself warranted a scandalized look, "Might as well punch her while I'm at it, I doubt she'd notice."
She returned my hard look with a steely stare of her own, not at all amused that 'that' was what it finally took to get me back on track.
"Lady Cornella!" Anna cried out with a hushed admonishment at the proposal, and with a face of genuine shook that made her recent addition to our outings all that much more apparent. My gaze softened at the comment as a final amount of guilt threatened to break through the dam, "That's a bit much, even if I wish that I had not brought heels for this."
A tinge of regret held me back as I waved off a vendor I had been in deep conversation with, returning the side of my friends for a moment. Hoping that I could clear the air, just stop things from getting misconstrued.
Ignoring how the past week or so had felt like a month-long scramble, my own actions had gone a bit far if one were to be honest. Yet, there was still so much to do.
"Take it as no insult Miss Anna. Patricia has a habit of getting lost in thought and forgetting herself when with others. You get used to it," The court mage detailed, resting a hand under her chin with a cheshire grin scrawled across her lips. Her face curled, "Eventually that is, let me handle this. PATRICIA!"
I jumped nearly a foot straight into the air, my glare fully cast over my visage as I sighed at the antics of my old friend. The mage merely laughed at me, a soft jingle that would've been a pleasure to the ears if it weren't at my expense.
Grant me a measure of your patience Cethleann.
"There is no need to yell, I am right in front of you 'Nela. Anna my greatest apologies," I greeted the both of them, one with more bite to my tone than the other. Taking the clipboard from the young woman's hands as I tried to offer a satisfactory explanation for my behavior, "Things have just been so busy recently as I believe you must've heard by now. Welcome back to the castle by the way. May you- ah, thank you. Let's see if I happened to miss anything."
"You have my utmost congratulations, your majesty. Lapis lazuli and rubellites?" The keen girl commented as she examined the gemstones lining the ring from the brief exchange of paperwork. Later making an offer that I had been disappointedly waiting for the entire morning, "Though it seems that you are in greater need of my expertise and of a helping hand."
Every day there seemed to be another one in the shadows, I hope the earl would not take this as too bad of an insult. I hate to put Lambert on the spot but I can't allow this.
"It was modified by my beloved before he gave it to me, he said something about many meanings and new beginnings. Your offer is greatly appreciated but," I declined her proposal, one of many that other lesser nobles had approached me with, and my mind blanked on what exactly the gems must have been. Lambert might have mentioned it, but I had long since forgotten and it would likely be considered rude to ask now. Regardless this was far too important to me and she would have to understand my stance on such things, "This is something that can't be put off-"
"I have lengthy experience with organizing such events and coordinating resources up to the day. Though," Anna explained, stepping inside of my comfort zone to take up my entire view of the world. Taking a breath as the red head elaborated I gently pushed her away, "While not necessarily to the level of a royal reception. The logistics of such a thing are well within my purview."
"That is all well and good," With a counter ready on the tip of my tongue I put her argument to rest, "But, this is my wedding and I can't allow-"
"Anselma, you are going to take her help and enjoy your wedding. Or so help me," My old friend cut into the conversation like a hot knife through butter. Again driving my sense of irritation for her up the wall, "I will make sure that you can do nothing else aside from attend the literal event in question once the time comes."
"I- What," I bit back at the witch, whose golden curls shone almost as brightly as Lambert's or Drimitri's would. Exhaustion from day's long stress dared to bring fresh tears to the forefront, "Can I not be allowed a single word on what happens in my own life? I am not another one of your projects Cornella."
"I believe that I hold the authority to make such changes, that you as a mere consort aren't privy to quite yet. So," The taller woman circled me, stating the obvious as she let not a hint of emotion stain the words uttered. She paused behind the traveling merchant and pushed her into my arms to stop her from abruptly falling onto the floor, "As court mage to his highness the most holy ruler of the frozen wastes. Miss Anna you are hired for the position of royal wedding planner, and may it be the most wonderful of weddings indeed. Don't spare any expense on the honeymoon either."
"Ugh," A painful groan involuntarily left my mouth, though I did a world of work to announce my annoyance with the court mage. My eyes flickering between the two women with a strained tone as I rubbed my forehead, "You planned all of this from the beginning, and you knew of it?"
"Uh, excuse me. Normally I would not pry, with your position an offer would likely have been taken as an offense so I had decidedly settled on trying to assist you as a vendor primarily," Anna sheepishly explained, taking my hands in hers in an effort to plead her case. My irritation softened at the merchant's strange amount of sincerity, "Thought that I might as well try when lady Cornella asked for my expertise. Though if you are still against this I am more than fine with allowing your majesty full rein over the proceedings."
Anna seemed like a fine lass if a bit insistent, though I'd wager that I would have to become acquainted with her sooner or later. By all appearances the young lady was quite close to my mage and the earl's son, it would help to have someone other than Cornella to rely upon.
"See," Cornella just had to butt in, like Nemesis coming when called upon with an omen of times to pass. Finely manicured fingers clasped my waist to bring the three of us closer as she spoke, "She is well vetted and has plenty of relevant experience, I have made sure of such things. So just let her handle all the difficult bits."
"Customers are more willing to loosen their coin purses for a pretty face and comforting voice. It would be best that they not notice the stress painted across your face," Anna commented in a lighthearted manner, gently taking the clipboard and other papers from my grasp. Giving a quick once over as she made a promise, "I will assure that your wedding is both a grand event and a cheap one for the crown, your grace."
"Please," . , "Like Cornella said, I'm not queen just yet. Just refer to me as Patricia, or Lady Patricia if you must. So, miss wedding planner, what is next on the agenda?"
"Ahhhh uhh," The merchant awkwardly hemmed and hawed, with a look that flickered between and Cornella at the question. Sucking in a deep breath she finally spit it out with an offhand gesture from me to continue, "Well today's been canceled, and uh, as well as tomorrow."
What?
"What?"
"It is no longer your responsibility," Cornella gently patted me on the hand, the very same bearing Lambert's ring with a soft laugh. Once she had my full attention Anna nodded along with her elaboration of what was to be the plan going forward, "The preparations solely fall upon Miss Anna here, and you are to provide general input. Your constant henning has driven everyone up the wall, and it's not good for you either."
A plan that while made sense, left me with startling little to do aside from supervise. Even then my inclusion was toned down from what I would have believed my new duties after the shift.
"What am I supposed to do now?"
"Wouldn't want the church to ruin your love fun before your married life has even begun. So have a fun date night with your to-be?" Cornella offered me jokingly, though with the twinkle in her eye I knew that she had a plan in mind to make it a reality. If only she was half the miracle worker that I knew her to be I would have been rid of her months ago, "Go on and have a very unholy union with your beloved before the more holy one. I can play jester to keep the nobles occupied for an evening."
"Cornella!"
Anna was giggling up a storm to rival those mana born, my anxiety spiked for a moment when the paperwork almost slipped out of her grasp.
"How about we ordain a royal blockade," My confusion only rose as the redhead joined in on the banter. Only to realize too late that Cornella's stupidity was spreading towards the innocent, "So that you can lay siege to your liege lord for a fortnight till the day that the dawn breaks?"
"Goddess above, the two of you are incorrigible!" Pulling myself away from them, I spat the words over my shoulder marching down the hall. Free of regret this time as I built distance between us that they would eventually need to cross to catch up to me again.
. . .
"Alcides."
"Lady Pat- ricia, paric- ia, patri- cia. [Fuck me and fuck this]," The last bit the mage spat out in his own native tongue, a relatable frustration that brought a chuckle out of me. His accent doing well to remind me of the time Cornella and I spent in Brigid, "Good day, your grace."
Those had been good days, until they weren't anymore.
"Heh, you're looking well. I hope that they have not been keeping you too busy," I commented whilst eying Benedikta taking a nap in his arms, she was so much shyer than the last time I'd seen her. Edelgard had proved to be so much more braver than before when I saw her again, "Whereabouts would you suppose that my daughter and stepson are?"
I hated thinking of why they had changed so much, though with Benedikta the reason was clearer. For the poor Varley girl to be wrapped up in whatever had affected house Hraesvelg concerned me greatly, it had taken so many sleepless nights to get the shy one to come forward with that little. My own daughter was wound up even tighter, just repeating the fairly obvious that the plague her siblings had been affected by was not a disease.
My gut churned at being away from my girls, and even more at the idea that they'd be alone with no one to keep watch over them. Being alone and vulnerable was the last thing they needed.
"They had a want for a spar with the kin of Khris, so he is to act as their. . . ref? Bern would have none of it," The mage half stumbled through unfamiliar words, and pieces of a crisp imperial accent slipped through at times that painted an idea of where he learned to speak from. While not spun from golden thread Aclides hair was closer to richer brown like Edelgard's brother Friedrich, "Stead', took a nap on me while they have a fight or two,"
I flinched upon recalling the name, of Edelgards many siblings; it was his fate, and his alone that I knew all too well. Should my worries be anywhere close to the truth, I fear that it would be better not to know the details so intimately related to his death. Oh the questions that I wanted to ask Alcides, and of the many he likely had no answer for.
"I hope that they are not playing too hard," Something about crests must implore a child to get into fights at such a young age, my siblings were never so troublesome. Goddess at least there was someone to keep an eye on their antic before it went too far, "Poor Drimitri has a bad habit of breaking training spears, but he means nothing by it. Hah, by all reports Lambert had the same troubles as a child."
Early on, before I had even detected that accent of his, I nearly froze in place. Last impression that I'd gotten from the people of Brigid was a particularly negative one toward those imperial born. Hard to forget, even harder to admit there that there was some fault of mine that lay at the center of 'that' disaster. It's what made the man's devotion to me so peculiar, and I half expected a ransom or at least a favor to be asked of me at this point as retribution.
"I am the best you have for this long hour, your grace. For that I am sorry," Alcides joked as left the eastern lounge and strolled into the training yard. He slipped a hand into his coat to bring a vial of liquid starlight into the limelight for a demonstration, "I can't say that I know much to heal well, but I do have the means that a drink may mend a broke bone or two. Thou, it may seem that the king's boy might need one 'for your girl does."
Alcides soon held true as we got clear sight of the sparing area, clouds of dirt had been kicked up and had briefly hid the two combatants from view. Edelgard on the offense with a wooden sword and knife, while Drimitri was visibly focused on holding back from going too far wielding his spear and letting his crest activate accidentally.
"Ah," Realization of what my mage meant made my eyebrows rise, glancing at the two brothers cheering the fighter on from the sidelines. With the Fraldarius boy standing beside them with a healer's bag over his shoulder, oh at least one of them had some sense. They were too young to be fighting so fiercely and one was bound to get hurt at some point, "Could you not have been the one to keep a closer eye on them."
The foreigner simply shrugged his shoulders, doing his best to avoid disturbed the sleeping girl in his arms. Hair was something the two shared, a small detail that I noted in the messy curls that remained even after I had cut his hair a bit. A mess they both had that refused to bend but was eventually cut down into something far more manageable.
"Ha, your girl likes to learn that much is easy and plain to see. Girl works hard," Alcides complimented my daughter with an off hand gesture, only releasing a pained gasp as Benedikta pulled his arm back in the depths of her dreaming. Glancing down he flicked the girl on the tip of her nose before he finished speaking, "If she were a cat. She'd bite too, maybe hate my dogs in place of love them. Does not care for me one bit, and sees parts of me that can't be seen. A real smart girl. You are a lucky mom."
"Thank you, again."
That didn't sound like the Edelgard I knew, oh how I dread to know what happened to you dear daughter. What hell did I bring only to leave you to deal with all on your own.
"She is well now, with you. So do not live in the past, live in the here and now, with her."
"Hah, my throat is going to become sore from thanking you. Dimitri! Edelgard! Come inside and get cleaned up! You can finish this at a later date," Unfolding the arms that I had not noticed we're hugging my sides, I shouted a command at my children and interrupted their sparing. My daughter ended up stumbling over herself at my words and fell atop of my stepson, glaring back at him before running off to join my side. Drimitri hadn't seemed to miffed about it, more confused than anything else. While Alcides let out a relieved sigh when I took Benedikta from his arms. A strange girl with strange ideas on sleep wear to take an even stranger blue hoodie to all of her naps even now, "You can hand her over to me, and get yourself ready. We're leaving in about, uh, how does two o' clock sound? You can tell by the church bells."
. . .
The market was abuzz with activity this time of year, Fhirdiad had just started to open the rest of her cold water ports with the summer coming in quite late this year. Splitting the load with Blaiddyd's only warm water port located in the capital that made trade so hectic this time of year. Our place high above gave an excellent view of the work, countless ships of countless kinds coming through. Sometimes the sight made me miss Embarr's warm water ports, but the familiar sense of the city's lifeblood was a comfort regardless.
"Have you heard anything about catering from Don Fransecos," My mind was still stuck on work, what was supposed to be a moment of peace left my brain to wander. Instead of my children at my side, Alcides and Anna remained to give me company. Drimitri had led a revolt to avoid shopping for 'boring' things and my daughters had elected to follow him, "Anna?"
The merchant was lost in thought searching through fine silks, and spools of yarn as she eyed the prices with a surprising amount of disdain. A distinct oak board holding several papers detailing my wedding lay unprotected atop a pile of cloth next to the distracted.
"Cornella's orders," The red headed merchant joked at my expense, taking a hand away from examining cloth to slap my hand away from the wedding planning clipboard out from under me. Double checking the notes the lass addressed me directly, "Sorry, are you this eager with his majesty himself as well I imagine?"
Ughhhhh, Cornella I end you for this.
"Miss Anna!"
"I'm sure we can speed up the timetable for the wedding proper to happen much sooner," Anna teased, her words much less effective than they had originally been with Cornella backing her efforts. Alone they we're much easier for me to handle even with how childish they insisted on being, "It's a true tragedy that the two of you have to sleep apart, but even your faith can't stop true love. I'll see what I can do to remedy this injustice, your grace."
Goddess forgive me for what I am about to do.
"What? I was not sure 'for but," Alcides came in at quite possibly the worst time, returning from the shopkeep while adorned with a custom pair of gloves. His loud voice made me panic over the idea of being overheard as I clasped a hand over his mouth, "You sleep rooms apart, is all not well with you and the king? Wh-"
The concern was admirable, adorable even, and of a clear sort of naivety that belonged more on Drimitri's face than his. Innuendo and metaphor had never been a strong suit for the people of Brigid in my time there, Cornella could not be allowed to influence the poor man. I really need the man to not spread my business to everyone here, I'd have to thank Cornella for the new identity.
After I killed her of course.
"Do not listen to Anna," I addressed my imperial loyalist first before I hissed out annoyed words toward my wedding planner, and back again. Herself red in the face as well in her hair from holding in her amusement, "Fair folk you may be, but I am not fooled. He and I are not yet wed, we wanted it to not be the case in the eyes of the public. The previous queen was much loved, a good woman to the people of Faerghus."
"Ah, that makes much more sense. I hope that you are wed for the many good years to come," The mage reassured me, taking the clipboard from Anna's hand to take a half-interested look for himself. His words prompted Anna to release a dramatized gasp fit for the opera, "And it is not hard to tune Anna out. She is more coin than talk, your grace."
"Thank you Alcides," Gratefully my stress drained out of my body at his words. Side-eying Anna the entire time as she attempted to look as innocent as possible, "At least someone here has some sense about these things."
Unbeknownst to me, he had shared a knowing grin with Anna as he flipped through the pages and stopped on something he found intriguing. A look of utter betrayal crossed my face the next time he spoke in a hush tone, "And if you need the time. I can take the kids off your hands so that you may have some time alone with him."
"Ugh, not you too. . ."
A swift death almost seemed preferable over this, I could order Alcides to follow through with it. Would it still be consider a great sin if I sought out suicide via mage? Forgive my weakness Seiros, rid me of these dastardly desires.
Alcides held the door to the store open. Allowing me to escape the establishment while Anna caught up with us as she paid the bill, "Hmpf, love sure does have you in its grip."
I don't think the poor man had ever met one of the Exalted before. While there hadn't been any more kneeling whilst in Lambert's presence, I could tell that the mage was no less uncomfortable while in my beloved's presence. Such a shame it was, they might have gotten along better, but they still had plenty of time.
Perhaps Cornella could lend a ear as to how she learned to handle it, I never was any good with magic like she was.
"Like you wouldn't believe, and I don't have it in me to fight even one second of it. If I am a fish in his net then there is no side I'd rather be than his," I sort of rambled on, and from the looks that my attendants shared I had done so for longer than I previously thought. A bright blush crept up my neck at the situation that I had put myself in, "There have been scarce few things I've desired more in life than this. It's the most simple of pleasures, you must understand me."
A breath of fresh air was just what I needed, free from the enclosed building and into the busy streets. Christophe, a name I recalled from meeting him enough time to finally remember it, turned to wave at us. One of Lambert's own pegasus knights stood flush with a crimson like my own as she saluted me upon our approach.
"A good thing in your case, that looks to last the test that time has in store. I have had no luck with love but," Alcides added on his own two cents on the matter, sharp eyes drawing back as if something was off. Anna adding a light 'yeah!' as the gruffer man spoke to a similar sentiment as mine, "It does sound nice. The sort of thing that I hope to come to know as well as you do."
It was a depressing tone, one that Cornella used to share with me when we first had come to the kingdom and before either of us had formally met with Lambert. Such a thing didn't look good on him, I should check in with Cornella and her own 'daughter'. That vacancy in her eyes that contrasted heavily with the odd obsessive ambition that had been driving her forward lately, it was starting to disturb me.
"It's a dream come true in spite of how it all came to be. He's a sweetheart truly," While the wedding was an endless source of stress, Lambert was a topic that was boundlessly far easier to speak of. Lightly gesturing at the small squad of pegasus that had been assigned to us on our trip once Lambert caught wind of our plans for the evening, "Though a tad overbearing when it comes to anyone he thinks falls under his duty to protect."
Lambert always complained about all the work that the summer solstice brought, though. I'd finally be able to lend him a hand this year without the nobles throwing a fit, more than they usually do anyway.
Two of the younger recruits spoke a word to Alcides, a bright eyed and eager Ochs girl who asked about his magic alongside Ferdinand who listened with rapt attention. My children were enraptured by the knight captain as I could hear Christophe try and fail to flirt with the older woman, more interested in teaching the new princess about the corp. Dimitri had been endlessly by the falcon knights himself, I suspect it had to do with the laxer tradition on those how we're permitted to join their ranks
"Course darling," My focus was far from the street and the people surrounding us as they went about their business. We had stopped at a stall selling frozen treats that my daughter had once adored, a stolen glance at woman's wares told me all that I needed to know. Edelgard was stiff as a board with me, just as uncomfortable and uncertain with how to act around me as I did around her. It would've been funny had I not been so focused on trying to lower her walls, "Choose whichever one catches your fancy."
Riding atop such magical creatures, I think some of the knights noticed that something was amiss far before the other or at least their steeds did. Equine ears flickered back, the captain shared a look with Christophe as the rapier resting on her hip was already half drawn by the time the others seemed to realize. A moment too late that spoke of his lower level of experience.
Alcides knew something, he'd been tense the second since we had left the shop and it was an irritation that the steed to the Ochs girl could tell from a mile away. Bucking in her grip when she tried to get too close to my mage, something we joked had more to do with his tamed wolves that trailed at his sides.
"Uofph," A man clad in thick robes stumbled into me, closer still to a mere accident really. It shouldn't have been of any concern, maybe a joke I'd later mention to Cornella offhandedly. My mind just insistent on playing tricks on me. A flash of silver sent my mind into a full blown panic in an effort to try and shield my daughter from the blade, "Excuse me si-!"
Anna shouted something out, a warning or alarmed yell as she seemed to spot the same as I did a moment ago. I clutched Edelgard tighter, hoping above all hopes that today would be brighter. That I'd be proved wrong for once in my wretched life as I stared down a longsword growing to be coated in fire that spun around the blade's edge.
"YOU ARE NO QUEEN OF OURS-," The world went so immensely bright as static filled the air, and an outer worldly BANG rang out that seemed to shake my very being. Feeling like my life had flashed before my eyes, it was only the pain and agony alone that reminded me that I yet still do live. I tripped within even noticing that I had fallen. The floor hurt, and my skull ached as dear shook terribly from within my grasp that I wished would keep her safe from the world around us.
One that my awareness slipped away from as the sting coming from my head dulled. The dark swept over me, and took me from my living dream. Oh how I desperately wanted to stay awake.
Interlude II Note:
I think this interlude is much better than the first, a much better chapter than many of the others that I've written too. Feels great to be writing a dialogue heavy chapter, only felt somewhat miffed when I had to write for Alcides. (its my own damn fault, I know, I thought it was a good idea at the time) Been considering adding a line every chapter about what day it is so that keeping track of when each chapter takes place would be easy for you guys. Might change with the reboot, probably will keep this one mostly the same though.
Really tried to convey a woman who cares yet feels a great deal of responsibility, handling a subpar situation with what grace she can summon forth. Taking a bit of change in direction when it comes to characterization, a chapter that shifts in tone to better display the sort of thing I'll be going for in the reboot~ remake~ chapters. More natural dialogue, with more involved main characters whose actual characterization are more firmly defined. A little bit of world building that I considered relevant given her level of knowledge considering that she isn't a native of Fearghus. Anselma/Patricia is a very nostalgic person, if you can't tell what I was going for with her. I tried to create as many ways that she could mirror Dimitri with this, easy ways that Lambert would have a lowered guard around her. Lots of implications, but little divulged as a parallel to how Edelgard is so guarded. The 'exalted' are a thing, basically another word for crest bearers, but like crest bearers of a certain rank? it will be explained more when the church becomes a part of the average chapters focus. I'm adding Flamberge's and Zweihanders, so expect a tab on weapon types like swords and lances soon too. Will I write smut about any of these characters? Well I'd have to change the rating at the very least, but probably not, or at least not for a good long while. . . I don't think I missed anything else important.
I was kind of wishy washy before, mostly testing which ones of my ideas stuck without going off the deep end. Mostly just debating whether I should directly replace FED or make a separate story thread/or post for the second version of this. It's my hope that I'll be able to breathe new life into my work, the idea for Alcides to have BPD was partly a retroactive decision but one I plan to expand upon. (Not like I hadn't already set up some of the ground work for it, but I did a shite job of it I think) The setup for other plans need to be scrapped as well.
I'm going to try and keep working before this caffeine wears off, hope you enjoyed.