"The goal is always to disrupt the plans of your rival. To prevent him from seeing the true geopolitical situation. If he sees the shape of shi before you do, you cannot place your pieces well on the wei qi board.67"
― Michael Pillsbury, The Hundred-Year Marathon: China's Secret Strategy to Replace America as the Global Superpower
"So you have an unexpected and vexing, new development then," Daegon remarked once Raiden finished his explanation of Kotal Kahn invoking Mortal Kombat.
The Red Dragon founder was seated on his revolving chair and facing the hologram of his current business partner. Tapping his fingertips on the edges of the armrests, he took a moment to ponder this revelation. Eventually, he said,"This makes tracking down my half-brother harder. He is smart enough to suspect you would target him for his role in stealing Shinnok's amulet. Your actions not only quickened his and Ruby's plans to take their people into hiding, it guarantees that they shall go underground for longer than they originally planned."
Louring, Raiden crossed his arms. He had expected that from the brat. Unfortunately, the timing for his schemes prevented him from dealing with Rain prior to Kotal. He was not keen on feeling guilty or foolish for this complication. He kept quiet and listened to what Daegon had to say, so he would be grateful to be heard out.
Daegon went on,"His rebels require twice the amount of recuperation to protect and defend themselves from you than they did from Kotal Kahn, and thrice the amount Kotal Kahn needs to protect and defend himself from you."
For a microsecond, a corner of his mouth quirked, so fast and faint that Raiden would not have noticed if not for the hologram's proximity. The Thunder God pretended that he had not seen it, the undeniable curiosity burning inside him.
As if the tiny ghost smile from earlier was not interesting on its own, pride flashed in his good eye with equal faintness and speed. Raiden's curiosity intensified.
Daegon inclined his head as he picked up where he'd left off."Rain knows how to be patient in his scheming. Six or seven years may not mean a lot by Edenian standards, but it necessitates careful and patient planning, as any other situation like this one does. It allowed him and Ruby to build their Edenian army, and it will continue to do so under these circumstances."
Raiden hummed in agreement, gladly and pleasingly speaking the perfect response he'd planned for this conversation. His voice was simple, smooth, careful not to be overly enthusiastic lest he come across as patronizing."Just as those traits have allowed yourself and your people to recuperate during those same years. As well as build a strong and far-reaching clan in the first place."
Daegon arched an eyebrow, displaying the same amused perplexity as when Raiden had stepped quite closely to him during their initial negotiations meeting. But even then, the Thunder God had elicited the response he desired with what he'd done and said next, and this was something he was now repeating. He felt no alarm as Daegon responded:
"Save your ego-stroking for Rain," he dryly told him. "Assuming those are your intentions toward him." He paused."You've yet to explain what you want with him."
Raiden gave a subtle and kind smile, the type he gave his proteges, especially Liu Kang and Kung Lao. His back tensed at the reminder of them. It should be not a surprise given that he was basing his intentions toward Daegon from past experiences, most of which naturally came from his two closest pupils. He was trying lure Daegon in by proving that he was better than Argus and Shinnok, an action that would be guaranteed once he finished convincing his clan to officially join him.
Returning his focus to the topic at hand, he replied,"You sound concerned." He tilted his head, eagerly scrutinizing the Edenian for an answer.
Leaning forward in his seat, Daegon rested his partially folded arms on his desk."Simply because I get paid does not mean I expel curiosity for my assigned tasks. It is bad for business, and particularly foolish given our current arrangement."
"Of course," Raiden acknowledged with a nod, his hopes increasing as Daegon was visibly getting closer to his web. Excited though he be for that, he understood the importance of patience; his lack of patience in the past had led to more than enough terrible plights.
"That aside," Daegon spoke."I think I've a right to know what you want with a relative of mine." His lips twitched, once again only someone in close proximity like Raiden's hologram was could make it out."I'll have you know I'm rather fond of my half-brother."
Raiden smiled merrily."Vice versa, from what I've heard." His eyes shone pleasantly."An intriguing and amazing coincidence." He had always been curious as to Rain's dynamics with his older siblings. Daegon and Rain's mutual scorn for the ever useless Argus could be a starting point, but there must be more, for it was a weak explanation on its own. He looked forward to exploring that once he got his hands on the hydromancer, and he was equally excited to see the brat's reaction to being coerced into reuniting with him.
Sensing his thoughts, Daegon stated,"There is no such thing, and our relationship is our business alone." He arched an eyebrow."Now please cut it with the digressing and kindly answer my query."
Raiden dipped his chin, his voice adopting a professional tone."I wish to talk with him, plain and simple." Now his own lips were twitching."As you stated before, his role in the theft of Shinnok's amulet is higher than the level of Kano's; it was his idea to hire Kano to steal it in the first place." He clasped his hands behind his back."If he has a semblance of wisdom and caution, he will hear me out."
Daegon inclined his head."And if he doesn't?" he wondered, unalarmed.
Raiden gave a smug smirk."A question for later, one I doubt we must be worried about."
Daegon smoothly leaned back in his chair."If he complies, that does not mean Ruby and the other Edenian rebels will follow suit."
Raiden lazily waved a hand."That is also a question we mustn't worry about."
Daegon gave a minuscule shrug."Whatever you tell yourself, Lord Raiden." He turned his revolving chair to face the back of it to Raiden's hologram. Bringing up both hands, with his elbows still on the armrest, he steepled his fingers. After a brief pause, he inquired,"Is there another matter you require from me?"
"A personal matter, naturally."
"Naturally?" he echoed, partially tilting his head to the side to glance over to Raiden without granting him his full attention. He did not look surprised, instead appearing curious, which was a good thing for Raiden. The demigod pondered for a minute before making a thoughtful sound and speaking,"I suppose it is. But what exactly is it? Surely, it cannot be anything Shinnok has not already told you."
"It still pains you," Raiden spoke."The betrayals, the-"
"Stating the obvious does no good to anyone," Daegon unemotionally stated to interrupt him, but Raiden went on.
"-the shock of awakening from that tomb Delia sealed you in," Raiden finished.
Daegon froze for a moment before gripping the armrests so intensely that his already chalk-white complexion paled further.
After ten seconds of silence, Daegon coldly stated,"I was not asleep."
"What?" Raiden reeled back in shock. He hadn't expected to hear something like that."Does that mean...?" He trailed off.
Daegon gripped the armrests harder."I was not fully asleep." His voice came out as a cracked growl."I woke up at random intervals and tried to call out, but that enchanted carbonate was too strong. I felt disoriented, but..." Now he was the one trailing off.
"So you were aware," Raiden muttered, shaking his head."How, in all the realms, can someone be that incompetent?" His guilt over his own failures and mistakes no longer seemed as painful."I underestimated your parents' idiocy. They are colossal failures in every aspect, to put it kindly! Looking at them makes me further strive to avoid that level of being pathetic. If I could, I would have gladly helped you put them in their place."
A short pause occurred, and then the demigod spoke:
"I know," Daegon said matter-of-factly, gratefully."Your thoughts are appreciated. Again, for both our sakes, I would hope it manifests better in the near future."
Raiden struggled not to let his smile widen lest his glee alert Daegon.
Yes, yes, Daegon was entering his web. This must have been how Shinnok felt during his own manipulation. But Raiden reminded himself that he needed to be wiser than Shinnok, and that he did somewhat sympathize with the middle son of Argus. It was hard not to as he sarcastically thanked Argus for being a perfect example of how a god and leader, among other responsibilities, should not act. Knowing what he did now, he saw that this drove Daegon twice as much.
He internally put aside part of this thought. He could not afford to let emotion get the better of him like it had countlessly done in the past. Daegon, despite his best efforts, had done that himself, and so Raiden welcomed the challenge of wrapping him around his little finger, with far more efficiency than Shinnok had.
Daegon's sigh pulled Raiden back to attention."I hate to cut this short." Raiden could not tell if that was honesty or sarcasm.
Daegon went on,"But I have an investigation to begin." He grunted and arched an eyebrow."One that has been made unnecessarily harder."
Ah, so that was sarcasm.
Raiden was torn between amusement and annoyance at this realization.
Regardless, Raiden dipped his chin and politely responded,"Of course. I wish you luck and look forward to hearing from you soon."
Daegon hesitantly nodded in return, then cut the connection.
Raiden gave a thoughtful hum as he relived the conversation in his head, examining every word and gesture that had occurred throughout it.
After several minutes, he took out his communicator and made an important call:
"Prince Goro, are you still at the Red Dragon base? Good. Please retrieve Nitara and come to the Sky Temple."
Nitara meandered through the library, occasionally running her fingers over the curve of a book amongst the multiple shelves.
True to Daegon and Skarlet's words, the other Red Dragons had shown her around the base, explaining where she could and could not go, and telling her to request assistance if she required it.
She yearned for solitude, a decent portion of her energy drained from performing that damn ritual, which had, to her relief and discomfort, succeeded. But she must always concentrate on the big picture, lest she lose everything dear to her.
Goro did not babysit her like Tremor and Kano did, spending most of his time with his generals and advisors, but he had convinced Raiden to trust him with Nitara. Again, she felt a mixture of relief and discomfort. As the prince explained earlier, he made the same arrangement with Raiden that he did with her: convince the Red Dragon that he or she was a worthy ally, and the prince would grant them his own full support.
Her thoughts drifted to the Edenian demigod and the constructed sanguinare. Daegon was as protective of his followers as she was of hers, while Skarlet valued her blood magik as preciously as she did hers. Earning their trust and camaraderie (and by extension Goro's) was the key to her salvation. But they were not stupid nor gullible; experiences with Shinnok and Reiko taught them harsh lessons in that regard.
Crossing her arms, she tapped the fingers of one hand on the elbow of the other and then thoughtfully touched her chin with that second hand.
She needed to get up close and personal, show why they were similar, prove what she had to offer, create a motive to care.
Truth be told, if she were in their positions, and she had been there quite a bit, she would be equally cautious.
Well, she mused as she gazed up and down the shelves, she had made mental notes of all the types of information they had to offer for outsiders like her. First, she would gather as much knowledge as she could, then use that to personally get to know them, get on their good sides as an ally to increase her chances of a true alliance, a dynamic stronger than their unsteady contract with Raiden.
As she was nodding in self-affirmation, the door slid open and a pair of stiletto boots clicked on the floor as one of the subjects of her musings entered the room. The vampiress smoothly turned to greet the red woman as the latter came to a stop six feet in front of her.
"You seem to be getting well-acquainted with this place," Skarlet commented, a hint of amusement in her red eyes and a smile ghosting her ruby lips.
No, Nitara quickly realized, it was not amusement, but nostalgia.
Skarlet folded her arms behind her back, a tilt in her gait as she examined the library. Without looking at Nitara, she absentmindedly spoke,"I was in such awe and desperation when I started out."
Sensing an opportunity, Nitara spoke,"Do you mean when you initially joined the Red Dragon?" A simple, obvious query, but perfect for a conversation starter without seeming like she was prying too much. She imagined that Skarlet valued her privacy, hence why she was careful in her wording and intonation.
Still not looking at Nitara, she pursed her lips and emitted an affirmative hum."Everyday feels like that time, both the good and bad aspects," she whispered.
It was then that Nitara noticed a tome had been tucked under Skarlet's arm, and that she was now removing the object to place it onto the shelf. Perhaps it was something intriguing that would prove useful.
Feeling braver, Nitara moved closer to the other sanguinare."What is it like here?" she asked. Clearly, Skarlet was in a good mood; she was determined to capitalize on it.
Blinking, Skarlet glanced at her with arched eyebrows, unsure what to think of her curiosity. Looking back to the shelf, she tapped her fingertips on the side of the tome she'd just placed there."Interesting," she eventually answered."They treated me similarly to how we are doing with you. Granted, I owed them a debt for saving my life, but that didn't take me long to repay..." She trailed off, unwilling to say more than necessary.
Nitara stifled a sigh. She hadn't anticipated this would be easy, so she wasn't surprised that this endeavor seemed to be failing. Hopefully, Skarlet wouldn't interpret her inquiry in an offensive way.
Deciding to change the subject, she pointed at Skarlet's recently discarded tome."May I ask what you were reading?"
Skarlet glimpsed at her from the corner of her eye, and replied with a smidgen of amusement,"It's not about blood magik, if that's what you seek." She shrugged."Well, not in that sense, more an entertaining legend than an actual lesson."
Stepping back, Skarlet waved an arm to draw a wide line in front of that particular shelf."This entire portion is Earthrealm entertainment featuring tales and legends inspired by your people," she explained to the vampiress."The one I just read, more often than I can count, is a myth about an Earthrealm murderess who supposedly bathed in the blood of her victims."
"Oh?" Nitara now examined the shelf with genuine interest."Have you read all of these?"
She nodded."Some more than once." She flicked her head in the direction of the aforementioned book. Afterwards, she contemplatively looked over the whole place and tapped her chin with her fingertips."We may need to install new shelves to make space for more of these." She snapped her fingers."As well as for the dragon stories the clan has been collecting over the years." She clicked her tongue."Most of which my clanmates are constantly convincing Daegon to read."
Nitara quizzically raised an eyebrow and remarked,"I did not peg him as an avid fantasy reader."
"He's not," she swiftly responded, now smirking."That is why they are determined to make him comply, half of them truly want to change his mind while the other half simply enjoy watching his vexed reactions at the slightest incorrect fact presented about dragons and pyromancy." She snorted."I'm fairly certain he is addicted to critiquing them. I've woken up a decent amount of nights to find him tormenting himself and cursing whomever wrote it as well as those who talked him into reading it."
"A way to stave off boredom on the rare occasion he has naught else to do?" Nitara suggested, trying to picture the surely impossible scene Skarlet described. She hadn't previously met Daegon. Most of her past experiences with Skarlet were merely witnessing her from a distance in chains at the coliseum. Thus, she had no right to be taken aback upon learning of their personal and humorous hidden depths.
Skarlet snorted once more."He glowers at me and threatens to banish me for seven nights whenever I voice that suggestion." She rolled her eyes until her red pupils nearly went into the back of her skull. Then she dryly added,"He has yet to carry out those threats."
Nitara found herself letting out a small chuckle, temporarily forgetting her difficult circumstances. But then her eyes widened as she realized this could be useful. She was indeed getting on Skarlet's good side, perhaps starting onto the path to...befriend her. Yes, she could achieve that personal aspect and evolve it into a stronger and professional aspect, precisely as she'd decided earlier.
She needed to keep this conversation going, so her eyes rapidly scanned the various books. Eventually, she pointed to one that was...unfortunately familiar. She cringed, and upon seeing what she was pointing at, Skarlet scowled and yanked it off the shelf.
"How many copies must I destroy afore they give up on tormenting me with reminders of this wretched excuse for literature?!" she hissed, glaring daggers at the book.
Nitara grimaced."I've heard horror stories about it from numerous Earthrealmers I've crossed paths with over the years."
"They tricked me into reading it when I initially joined," she said as she began marching to the fireplace, which she irritably tossed the offending object into. She retrieved a fire poker and stabbed it into the burning book significantly more times and with more force than necessary."Do not even get me started on their attempts to convince me to read the inane sequels that I've heard are twice if not thrice as terrible as the original," she grumbled, ending her words with a scoff and headshake, doing all of this sans ceasing her fire poker stabbing.
"Oh the irony," Nitara wryly remarked, causing Skarlet to look at her with an expression that was the epitome of perplexity.
"What do you mean?" she wondered, furrowing her brows as she wracked her brain in search of explanations for the other woman's remark.
Nitara shook her head."Nevermind. It isn't important." Skarlet studied her for a moment before shrugging off her confusion and returning to the very crucial task of stabbing the book, even though the offending object had been reduced to ashes by now.
Then, Skarlet muttered,"Damn the author and those who made me read this atrocity to Hell."
Nitara decided to pretend not to notice, and by extension not remark upon, the irony this time. Although she did let a very soft, subtle snort escape her.
After five minutes, Skarlet was finally satisfied with ensuring that the remains of the literary monstrosity were completely destroyed. With a sigh, she put the fire poker to its proper place.
As Skarlet was turning around, however, she suddenly froze, her porcelain skin paling as much as possible and her red eyes going wide as saucers. She put a palm against the wall, her knees shaking as she slowly started descending to the floor and slumped into sitting position with her legs oddly folded underneath her. Her breathing became ragged and her shaky hands came to rest on her lap. Both her wrists and legs were quaking. Somehow, her countenance managed to be too serious and too emotional, like she was petrified to a point most people would consider implausible.
Realizing what was happening, Nitara took three steps back to ensure she was not too close to the other woman. Skarlet glanced at her, then closed her eyes and tried to focus on regaining control of her breathing, her lips silently moving in a manner indicating that she was counting between breaths.
Tentatively and quietly, Nitara spoke:"You are not in danger...and you are not alone. I promise...to not go anywhere." She swallowed thickly."Let me know...if you need me."
Skarlet cracked an eye open, meeting her gaze and weakly dipping her chin in acknowledgement.
Several minutes passed, Skarlet slowly managing to relax while Nitara occasionally uttered an assurance without forcing her support upon the other woman.
Finally, the mental attack came to an end, and Skarlet released a cautious exhale whilst adjusting her sitting position to fix the blood-flow in her legs. She dipped her chin again, this time with more energy."Thank you," she said."I'm sorry you had to witness that."
Nitara settled into seiza position."You have naught to apologize for. I used to get those or have to help one of my brethren during their own episodes."
The construct inclined her head."Thank you, nonetheless." She unconsciously massaged her wrist and shifted her legs."They used to be rather frequent, I barely understood what was happening. Nowadays, they are fairly rare."
"I'm glad you've improved, at least," Nitara said honestly.
She gave a faint smile."It hasn't gone away, obviously, and it likely never will, but I'm better." She glanced at the ceiling and pursed her lips."I started experiencing them shortly after the Red Dragon rescued me. Daegon and some of my clanmates endure them too; they taught me how to cope, and I'll never hesitate to return the favor."
Nitara absorbed this new piece of information, as much for her own purposes as out of concern for her new allies.
Well, she had told herself that she must get up close and personal first, ease her way into their good graces and ensure it grew into the benefits she sought. And if that meant she'd find actual friendship and trust, deeper than the usual dull and pragmatic kind, and instead the kind that lasted forever, then that was simply an extra reason to continue her endeavors.
As Skarlet steadily got to her feet with some assistance from her fellow sanguinare, the door slid open, and now two sets of footfalls were heading toward them. Soon, Daegon and Goro walked into view. The prince dipped his chin at Nitara; she reciprocated.
"It seems you are becoming well-acquainted here, Lady Nitara," Daegon simply remarked, arms folded behind his back in a manner akin to when Skarlet got here. His visage showed zero emotion, but she was positive he was also recalling Skarlet's original time with the clan. It was a nice connection betwixt the pair, likely why they got along rather well.
Having instantly reached the same conclusion, Skarlet snickered, drawing his attention to the redhead whom he now quizzically gazed upon. Whether he knew why she was amused was unclear to Nitara, although she did not fail to notice Goro rolling his eyes. Skarlet also saw this and mockingly rolled her own eyes to annoy him, which caused the prince to harrumph and the demigod to glimpse at him from the corner of his eye whilst maintaining his quizzical gaze. Now Nitara was positive this was a common exchange, and an entertaining one at that.
Daegon suddenly frowned. He moved closer, and Nitara briefly wondered if he'd become suspicious of her. She needn't have worried; his attention simply intensified on Skarlet. He must have recognized the aftermath of her episode. Skarlet did still look paler than normal and a small portion of the crimson tresses in her ponytail were disordered.
Nitara sidestepped so at not appear nosy during the pair's interaction. Goro shot her a look indicating this was a smart choice.
Daegon eyed Skarlet up and down, his visage displaying sincere concern mixed with his original stoicalness."Your last one was a month ago," he remarked as he brought a hand to her face.
She leaned into the touch and softly riposted,"And yours was two days ago." He sighed at that and looked to the side whilst pressing his lips into a thin line.
Given his chalk-white complexion, Nitara guessed that he must turn a nearly impossible and rather unnerving shade during his attacks, a mental image that when taken into consideration alongside what she recently saw with Skarlet was rather perturbing. Not to mention the fact that these two didn't tend to show a lot of emotion, probably the main reason for their closeness.
Skarlet hadn't clarified specific details, leaving Nitara uncertain if his episode happened prior to or after his meeting with Raiden, although Skarlet's critical intonation hinted it was the latter. It could be a coincidence, but why would she go out of her way to mention it? Then there was Daegon's exasperation at her words. Perhaps she disapproved of his dealings with Raiden.
Nitara recalled how curt Skarlet was toward the Thunder God once they finished the ritual, unlike Daegon's professional shortness and Nitara's accidental rudeness. She had also been avoiding looking at anyone until the ritual had begun and ended. She was quick to add her own expression of agreement whenever Daegon said anything to criticize him, or she would make her own comment that prompted a smidge of a similar reaction from Daegon. But again, he was always professional toward Raiden, whereas she appeared to be avoiding or ignoring him even while she was addressing him. This made Nitara certain that Skarlet disapproved and had no intention of hiding it, even though she showed it in an inconspicuous manner. That said, Raiden was bound to be aware of Skarlet's disfavor.
Now Nitara was wondering if that was why Skarlet didn't strongly mind talking to her, to the point of revealing personal hobbies and encounters. Nothing too detailed, but an intriguing freeness nonetheless.
The Red Dragons were unaware of Nitara's predicament, hence why she must tread carefully in how she interacted with them, lest Raiden gain the advantage and convince Goro that he was the safer bet, as well as to ensure Raiden in general did not randomly decide to destroy her loved ones.
Despite her unawareness of Nitara's plight, Skarlet decided to investigate the winged woman's reasons for joining Raiden. Perhaps she worried that Nitara would try to convince herself and her clanmates to permanently join Raiden and thus intervene in Daegon's dynamic with Raiden while the Grandmaster was contemplating his choices until the time came for the Red Dragon to tell Raiden how their contract would conclude.
Daegon was not foolish enough to blindly trust anyone, and he would not hesitate to cast aside whomever betrayed him or dishonored his clan. He knew Nitara was smart enough not to attempt obvious tactics, but he must be absolutely sure, especially when recalling Kenshi's treachery. Since he would have his hands full dealing with Raiden's tasks, of course he would assign Skarlet as a watcher for their current partners..
Goro met her gaze to wordlessly confirm her musings. A smile ghosted her lips at this realization, filling her with relief. She realized that he must also be under watch, even if he was a longtime ally of the clan. Technically, he was on the same boat as Nitara and Raiden, although not quite to the same level due to the competition he'd established betwixt the vampiress and the deity.
The prince spoke:"Lady Nitara, Lord Raiden requests to see us both to discuss our next mission." She had an idea what he truly wished to discuss.
Nodding, she replied,"Thank you for informing me." She looked to the demigod and the construct, and bowed her head at them while sincerely saying,"And thank you, Grandmaster and Lady Skarlet, for your warm welcome. Until next time."
Both of them bowed their heads in kind and wished her and Goro good luck on their new assignment, a sentiment the two echoed before taking their leave.
She waited until they exited the library and were out of earshot to talk."I take it he wishes to discuss mine and his own progress so far?" she rhetorically inquired.
The prince simply nodded.
Goro kept his posture, pace, and face calm and expressionless the whole time it took him and Nitara to arrive at the Sky Temple and meet with Raiden.
They found him standing in the middle of the room where the ritual had been conducted, lost in thought and looking over the place. Their footfalls snapped his attention to the doorway.
He greeted them with a faint, nonetheless smug, smile whilst beckoning them inside.
Nitara had her hands folded and lowered, though her head was raised so that her eyes were fixed at him. She showed zero emotion. An impressive stance to give him less satisfaction over the fear he planted within her.
He clasped his hands behind his back."Ah, thank you for coming. We should discuss our arrangement before it has truly begun."
"You may call it a competition, Lord Raiden," Goro said, withholding the instinct to roll his eyes."Best to be blunt about." As a prince, he understood the importance of formality, but there was little point to it here and now.
"If you prefer," Raiden responded. He turned to Nitara, his smile clearer."Prince Goro has informed you then." She hummed in silent confirmation.
"Is there anything worth discussing?" Goro questioned, glancing between the two."It has just begun and you two are at an equal point with the Red Dragons."
This must simply be Raiden wishing to find a reason to gloat and taunt Nitara. Goro did not know if he should be amused or annoyed by that. Regardless, he was not willing to entertain this childish waste of time.
Holding back a sigh, the prince gave the Thunder God a stern stare.
"All due respect, Lord Raiden," he dryly began."I think you have plenty else to focus on in addition to this matter. I will personally contact both of you once we have reached that point. Now shall we end this inane distraction?"
"Of course," Nitara said before Raiden could fully open his mouth. She bowed her head at the prince and then the deity before calmly and gracefully leaving.
"Good luck," Goro muttered, not caring if he was heard, and took his leave without sparing Raiden another glance.
Goro did not really care who won, though for a moment he found himself already wondering if Nitara could be the better one.