Blazepanzer here, and another new chap! I was kind of thinking about waiting another day or two to post, but we have a string of thunderstorms arriving in my area and so I thought I'd go on ahead and published it today.
Anyways, enjoy! Note that Blazepanzer does not own Girls und Panzer!
It was evening and Hanoashi was focusing on cutting the potatoes when the doorbell rang.
"Kona deer, it's Wayne," Shelia noted softly.
"O...on it mom," Rikona rose from where she was tearing leaves of lettuce to go and invite him in.
Hanoashi had to stifle a sigh as she heard that it was her great grandfather. I know that I told him that I didn't care if he hated me or not, but I would really appreciate it if he and I could at least get along, she mused wistfully. At first I didn't mind it...but I'd really like to be accepted. Just accepted...they don't have to adore me or anything...
Walking in, he sat at the table, giving her a small look over before turning to Shelia. "How is she?" he asked.
"Her...athletic skills are poor, but she's...determined," Shelia noted flatly. "And she's adept at learning, she's already beginning to understand basic English even though she's just starting on those lessons."
"And Chess?" Wayne asked.
"She's been taught the basics," Shelia shrugged.
"She and I, game, now," Wayne barked.
"O...okay then," Shelia mused. "Hanoashi...he wants to play Chess with you!" she called.
"What about the potatoes?" Hanoashi squeaked.
"You...ah...don't get to say no to the elders," Shelia shifted nervously.
Huffing, Hanoashi sat down her vegetable peeler and joined him at the chess table.
"So, you're failing at athleticism?" Wayne noted as he made the first move.
"I'm trying sir, only got seven laps so far..." Hanoashi sighed as she moved her first piece.
"At your age, for an hour's worth of swimming at least twelve is passing and fifteen is satisfactory and no more than a half hour's worth of breaks in between," Wayne growled, before moving another piece. "For a Matsumino that is."
"I'll get there," Hanoashi promised.
"Why bother when your father is going to make a full recovery," Wayne growled. "It's just a waste of Shelia's resources and time."
Making another move, she had to resist the urge to glare at him. "Teaching the young is never a waste of resources and time if they heed those teachings. And I will heed them, I swear it," she growled, giving him a look of determination.
"Let your yays be yays and your nays be nays," He hissed, before making another move.
"Right sir, sorry,"Hanoashi whispered, knowing what he was referring to. A bit later, she glanced up at him. "Is...my father really going to recover?" she asked quietly.
"Do you want him to recover because you love him as your father, or because you simply want to escape the harsh conditions of us Matsumino?" Wayne prompted sternly.
"Recovery or not, I will be pressing myself as though I were trying to meet the Matsumino expectations, lofty standards or not." Hanoashi declared, making another move. "And it's not to impress the elders," she added sternly.
"Then why bother? You could live a quiet life, watching anime or playing video games or whatever silly things you youth do to enjoy yourselves these days," Wayne argued.
"Because I want to be a better woman than I am now," Hanoashi noted.
"Oh, and you think you're a woman now?" Wayne mused, moving a non-pawn piece for the first time.
"I'm growing into one. No need to wait until I do to begin training for it," Hanoashi managed to snag her first piece of the game.
"Hm...that attitude may serve you well, if you can control it," Wayne noted as he took one of her pieces. "So tell me, Shelia is taking extra time teaching you English...why?"
Moving another pawn, Hanoashi gazed at him evenly. "Assuming I don't get married and become a stay at home mother, I desire to become an English teacher," she noted.
"Hm...had worse come to worse, the Elders might be able to get behind you in that aspect," Wayne mused. "But tell me, what if you cannot afford collage?" he added.
"There's nothing wrong with working for a few years before collage if need be," Hanoashi argued. "In fact...learning English can prove beneficial for other lines of work if I run into a tourist who only speaks English," she added confidently.
"Hm...very well," Wayne noted.
"Speaking of which, I'd like to know if there's anything I can do to help the Matsumino for taking me in while my father is out," Hanoashi noted as she moved her castle.
"Wouldn't bother with the others...but...I'd recommend being there for her," he mused, glancing at Rikona warmly. "Just...keep the whole blood relation thing under wraps," he added seriously. "Voey is...not happy," he noted to Shelia.
"He is not going anywhere near little Rikona nor Hanoashi," Shelia noted sternly.
"Who's Voey?" Hanoashi asked, tipping her head in confusion before making a move.
"My father, and he is not welcome here," Shelia noted sternly.
"Why's that?" Hanoashi pressed.
"He knocked your mother out cold when she announced that she was marrying Drake. Most Matsumino want nothing to do with him, and he was kicked from the elder council after lying to get Yu rejected from the family," Wayne growled sternly.
"But if he lied to get her rejected...shouldn't the elders have reinstated her?" Hanoashi asked quietly.
"No, she broke the contract by marrying Drake," Wayne growled flatly, a tone which clearly told her not to argue. "Just because lies were told about her in a rather vain attempt to get her expelled doesn't nullify the original expel-able offense," he added sternly.
"I understand," Hanoashi noted flatly, clearly not impressed. Asshole...she growled to herself.
After a bit Wayne took her last piece. "So...did I do alright?" she asked quietly.
"No strategy, it's improper form," Wayne noted flatly. "Of course I deliberately played against you without one to test the waters against a new player this time, but I trust that you'll be learning and starting off with one from now on in your future games..."
"Yes sir, but if my strategy fails?" Hanoashi tipped her head.
"Then you adapt and try to pull out a victory if you can, not that I should have to tell you that," Wayne rose up, heading toward the door before glancing back at Shelia. "Good luck teaching them to cook," he noted warmly before exiting the door, and Hanoashi could hear the distinct roar of his Mazda Rx.
"Did...I offend him?" Hanoashi asked quietly, before sighing and picking up the pieces.
"No dear, he's just not the one to give out compliments much," Yu encouraged. "But now you can get back to peeling potatoes.
"Yes Aunt Shelia," Hanoashi smiled, glad to get back to cooking. As she was doing so, she heard Rikona sigh next to her. "I'm sorry about him," she whispered softly.
"It's alright, his actions are on him, not you," Hanoashi soothed gently.
"But I can tell that you want all of us to accept you..."Rikona began.
"Acceptance would be nice, but I meant what I said when I'd be happy to just have yours and aunt Shelia's love and affection. As for the others...I can't force them to accept me, they have to come to that on their own. All I can do is be the best girl that I can be."
"Will...we be able to hang out after you return to your father home though?" Rikona asked hesitantly. "I...I don't want to lose my best friend and cousin."
"Of course you will, I made sure that the council allowed it back when I told them of the situation," Shelia smiled.
"So they accepted my potential adoption...wait...when did you...tell them?" Hanoashi asked, her question turning into a surprised gasp at the end.
"I alerted Griswald to the situation as soon as the doctors called and told me how bad your parents were, and she got the councils permission, though at the time we didn't mention you by name. I was hoping to let the others see you a bit before revealing that you were Yu's daughter, though..." Shelia admitted. "Of course while Griswald is somewhat detached from the youth these days, she wouldn't stand to see a child placed in an orphanage when there was a willing adopter right in front of everyone."
"She's warm with me," Rikona mused, confusion filling her voice.
"You remind her of when she was young," Shelia noted gently. "See, Griswald had successfully delivered over 16,000 babies during her time as a delivery doctor. So it's natural for her to be drawn to a fellow Matsumino who want's to go into the medical career."
"That's why she knows so much about nursing!" Rikona exclaimed, her eyes shining. "But...why did she never tell me about her accomplishment?"
"Well, for starters, Matsumino usually don't brag about their own accomplishments, that and Griswald isn't a self bragger by nature anyways," Shelia mused.
"That's a lot of deliveries..." Hanoashi whispered in awe, trying to fathom that. And here I was thinking that having four or five kids would be more than enough for myself. Granted, there is a big difference between delivering babies and actually having them, but...
"That should be enough, now to mash them in preparation for potato salad," Shelia smiled, handing her a pot. "I'll do the actual boiling since that's a bit too dangerous for you two yet," she added.
Setting the potato peeler down, Hanoashi went to join Rikona who had moved on to shredding the cheese. "That looks like fun," she noticed.
"Kinda scared that I'll cut myself," Rikona confessed gently.
"I'll just watch quietly then," Hanoashi smiled.
"No, it's alright to talk," Rikona shook her head. "Is...this your first time cooking?" she added.
"Kinda is," Hanoashi shrugged. "I mean...I've always watched mom cook and while I never really wanted to go into the cooking career, I've always been fascinated by the idea of cooking for one day."
"But isn't being a stay at home mother similar to the cooking career?" Rikona tipped her head in confusion.
"Less cooking, two to three meals a day, with optional desert, is quite different then cooking up to and possibly over twenty to fifty meals a day," Hanoashi noted. "Granted, cooking like that at home isn't necessarily easy, but it's all of the aspects of married life I'd enjoy. The cleaning, the cooking, making my husband happy...also caring for and teaching my future children," Hanoashi let out a sigh of contentment as she imagined herself as a mother.
"I see," Rikona mused. "Maybe I'll consider raising a child of my own when the time comes."
"You two are way way too advanced for your age when it comes to your sentence structure," Shelia noted flatly, shaking her head in tired exasperation.
"Wait until I can do that in both English and Japanese," Hanoashi teased.
"Maus I hope not!" Shelia balked jokingly.
"Is this enough cheese?" Rikona asked.
"Yes, now move onto the adding the croutons with the cheese and dressing," Shelia noted. "Hanoashi, I'm going to drain the potatoes, so watch carefully," she added.
Walking over, Hanoashi watched in awe as Shelia gently dipped the water into the drain, using a strainer to prevent the potatoes from falling into the sink.
"Do you see how to do it now?" Shelia asked.
"Yes Aunt Shelia," Hanoashi noted earnestly.
"Good, burn it into your memory. Drake will probably try to teach you to cook when your older, and of course Rikona can help as well, but you must always be careful when dealing with food on the burner," Shelia noted.
"So...when can I learn to cook on the burner?" Hanoashi asked eagerly.
"Probably twelve or thirteen," Shelia sighed apologetically.
"Twice my age..." Hanoashi whispered quietly.
"Bear in mind that you need to master hand-eye coordination, not to mention that you need to have a good reach in order to cook safely. You'll get there, but it takes time. Same as learning English, or chess strategy, or swimming. You are just getting started on all five aspects, cooking, foreign language mastery, gaming, athleticism, and of course growing," Shelia smiled encouragingly.
"I understand," Hanoashi smiled back. "Yes...the wait is frustrating, but I can handle it," she added confidently.
"Good, but now you can begin mashing these potatoes," Shelia noted.
Going over, she watched as Shelia did an example, and upon being prompted, she began to use the potato-masher, being extra careful not to place her fingers in an area to where she'd get smashed.
"Mom...what now?" Rikona asked, glancing up.
"Now all you have to do is place it all together," Shelia smiled.
"Really?" Rikona squeaked.
Hanoashi had to stifle a laugh at her cousin's squeak, it was just so cute! But she turned her focus to mashing the potatoes.
"And now we add the other ingredients, the mayo, relish, and ect," Shelia smiled.
At first she thought that her aunt was still speaking to Rikona until she realized that she was speaking to her. Nodding, Hanoashi looked at the instruction list and carefully mixed in everything together.
"I think it's done mom!" Rikona smiled, presenting three dishes.
"Those look lovely dear," Shelia smiled.
Hanoashi felt her mouth water a bit as she glanced at Rikona's creation, before snapping out of it and turning to her own. "Is...this good?" she asked, stepping back.
"Perfect! Now to serve it, place it in these three bowls," Shelia smiled.
Obeying, Shelia carried two bowls over to the table while Hanoashi carried one over to Rikona, who exchanged it with one of her salads. Sitting on her side of the table, the three girls clasped their hands together. "Thanks for the food," they smiled.
Taking a bite of her potato salad, Hanoashi felt a twinge of disappointment. I thought it'd taste better than this...
"Oh...this is so good!" Rikona gasped after she swallowed her bite.
"Yes, you should be proud of yourself Hanoashi...Hanoashi, what's wrong?" Shelia asked, her voice turning from jubilant to worrisome.
Why are they enjoying it, but I'm not? Hanoashi asked herself, taking another bite, hoping against hope that she would actually enjoy it. But no, the soft texture of the concoction, and the flavor of the mayo mixed in certainly wasn't doing her any flavors.. "I'm sure it's good...but..." she glanced down. "I'm not getting the same reaction as you are with it," she admitted softly.
"Maybe you don't like potato salad, that's common," Shelia smiled at her. "Even if you don't like it yourself you can take pride at having made your first dish and a highly praised one at that."
"Guess so," Hanoashi smiled, eating another bite. Maybe it's just the recipe...I should try a few more before writing off potato salad as a personal meal, she determined.
After she was done, they got to the salad. "Hm...a tad too much on the vinegar, but it's good," Shelia smiled. "Not bad for a first attempt."
"Huh...I personally I like the more sour taste," Hanoashi smiled at Rikona. "I think you're on to something from my point of view," she added after taking a second bite.
Glancing up, she was surprised to see that Rikona had made a face. "It's too sour for my liking," she admitted quietly, before apologizing and ate quietly.
Huh...so we both loved the other's dishes but hated our own... Hanoashi noted as the meal was finished.
"Alright you two, it's time for you to listen to the news channel, and then you can head to bed at your own pace...and great work with the cooking," Shelia smiled.
"Thanks Aunt Shelia," Hanoashi smiled, Rikona echoing her words, and the two cousins made their way upstairs.
"Did you...really not like the potato salad?" Rikona asked hesitantly.
"Not really, I mean I know that I made it well, but..." Hanoashi sighed. "Perhaps it's the mayo I don't like...who knows."
"Hm...I thought that it was among the best I've tried yet," Rikona smiled at her.
"Same with the Salad," Hanoashi smiled at her in return. "The sour taste...ah that was so good!"
"Maybe you just like sour things," Rikona shook her head.
"That may be why I preferred spaghetti and ketchup over mac and cheese," Hanoashi noted, remembering how she always chose it over the other back when...back before mom died.
"I'm sorry...what?!" Rikona gasped. "Spaghetti and ketchup?"
"Yep!" Hanoashi smiled. "It's the good stuff, you replace tomato sauce with ketchup!"
"Sounds...interesting, but I think I'd prefer tomato sauce," Rikona shrugged.
"Well, ketchup is technically a form of tomato sauce..." Hanoashi noted, a sly expression forming.
"You cheek!" Rikona growled playfully. "But yeah, you've got a point. But...isn't it sour?"
"A bit," Hanoashi shrugged. You also use a fair bit of ketchup, but it's really good."
"Hm...maybe I can convince mom to make it," Rikona mused as they made it up the stairs and into their room, Rikona turning the radio on.
Initially sitting down on the bed, Hanoashi soon folded her hands behind her head as she laid down, closing her eyes.
"We've got to listen to a few hours first little cuz," Rikona reminded her.
"I'm older," Hanoashi noted lazily.
"And I'm taller not to mention your mentor and chaperon while you stay with us Matsumino," Rikona reminded her, though a small echo of amusement flooded her voice.
"Fair point," Hanoashi let out a quiet smile.
"This just in, rebellion in North Korea!" a new reporter gasped, grasping papers in shock.
Hanoashi's eyes widened in shock, scrambling to the radio to turn the volume up, her hand brushing against Rikona's. The two girls blushed, and Hanoashi stood back, allowing her cousin to turn up the radio.
"Millions of youth have taken to the streets, utilizing any weapons they can. Some have stolen firearms from their military parents, others have taken weapons from officers that have been clubbed on the streets. Min Ji Kwan has released a statement noting that the army stands ready to defend their nation from the rebellious youths. More to come in the future.
Hanoashi and Rikona glanced at each other, shock clouding their eyes as dark green met light green respectively. They had never been anywhere near a war before.
Suddenly, Shelia came in. "Pack up as many things as you can, and quickly," she noted.
"Why?" Rikona asked.
"We'll be staying at Drake's place for a few days," Shelia noted. "Don't over-pack, just bring some clothes, your pictures, and a few other things you might want. A backpack and a sack per person," she added, before walking out.
Hanoashi walked over and brought her favorite teddy-bear and photo album out, placing them into her school backpack before shoving some undies and clothes, including her school uniform. Rikona did the same, but just as Hanoashi turned around to ask her something, she saw Rikona with a pair of...
"Fine..." Rikona sighed. "I...I like handcuffing myself from time to time. Mom says to hide it, but..."
"How can you like handcuffing yourself?" Hanoashi gasped, confused.
"The restriction of movement...it's fascinating to me," Rikona confessed.
"As long as you don't try to handcuff me, then," Hanoashi shrugged, struggling to ignore what she just learned about her cousin.
"You think it's weird...don't you?" Rikona asked quietly, walking up to her with an ever so slight gaze of hurt in her eyes.
"A little," Hanoashi confessed with a sigh, gazing at her evenly. "Those are the interments police used to arrest criminals? How...wait...why do you even have a pair?" Hanoashi inquired.
"They make toy versions," Shelia stepped in, before sighing. "As long as you keep to wearing them in the house and don't cuff Hanoashi or anyone else without permission, you may bring them," she added with a sigh. "I'll be downstairs, let me know when you are ready," she added.
"I'm ready. Rikona?" Hanoashi turned to her cousin.
"Ready, just let me put my uniform into my backpack and I'll be ready," she noted, before joining her in the journey downstairs.
Placing their bags and backpacks in the trunk, Hanoashi sat next to Rikona in the back seat as Shelia started up the car and maneuvered out of the city.
"Can we listen to the news?" Hanoashi asked.
"Might be a bit scary," Shelia noted.
"So, I wanna hear what's going on," Rikona insisted.
"Very well," Shelia noted, switching on the radio, only to hear a rather large blaring as the emergency broadcast came on.
"This is an emergency advisory alert, due to increased tensions in the Korean Peninsula, the following measures have been enacted. First, all school ships are being rerouted to ports on the western side of Japan. Secondly, all residents with residences in the countryside are urged to move there. Thirdly, all children under the age of ten are being rerouted to countryside homes for the time being. Furthermore, all children over the age of thirteen are to receive basic arm's training, and all citizens between the age of sixteen and forty are being requested to appear at their nearest police station for a draft drawing."
"Damn...this is escalating faster than I thought," Shelia muttered.
"Are we at war?" Hanoashi asked, finding herself surprisingly calm during this trying time.
"Not yet, but our nations aren't exactly friendly, and while less likely than the north, South Korea might try to sneak in a strike and pin it on the North," Shelia noted.
"Why?" Rikona asked, her green eyes growing wide with fright.
"It's nothing you need to worry about little one," Shelia soothed, turning off the radio.
Noticing her hand shaking, Hanoashi reached over and placed her own hand over Rikona's. The girl gently took it, before squeezing a bit, though not too hard.
Arriving at the house, she was surprised to see several cars already parked there. "Aunt Shelia?" Hanoashi asked hesitantly.
"Just a few of your friends," Shelia smiled, pulling in.
"Hanoashi, they're you are!"
"Ayumi?" Hanoashi gasped.
"Anna and Sara are here as well," Ayumi smiled, dragging her by the hand.
Glancing over at Rikona who followed quietly, she soon found herself surrounded by classmates, old and new alike. Lin, Matsu, and Azusa were there as well as Ayumi, Sara, and Anna.
"Where have you been?" Anna gasped, before embracing her in a hug.
"I've been at Rikona's house," Hanoashi smiled, gazing at the brunet beside her.
"That's cousin Rikona to you," The girl huffed.
"Thought that we were supposed to keep that a secret!" Hanoashi gasped.
"What's the point, they're going to figure it out if we're living together," Rikona shrugged.
"She's right," Shelia walked up.
"So this is the Hanoashi I've heard so much about," another adult smiled as she knelt down. "I'm Mimoza, Azusa and Matsu's mother," she added.
"I'm Hanoashi Katoni...it's nice to meet you ma'am," Hanoashi bowed politely.
"And such a cute, polite young lady as well," Mimoza smiled, before rising up. "Well, guess it's time. Shelia and I will be staying here while the rest of us will be going elsewhere," she added.
A chorus of bye mom, and do we have to part erupted from the girls, and before long Hanoashi found herself entering the familiar halls of her home. "Haven't been here in days," she sighed. "Feels weird...but familiar."
"So this is where you live," Anna smiled. "Cozy.
"Maybe we can have a few sleepovers once father recovers?" Hanoashi suggested.
"Maybe...but...we kinda of got a new guy in the class after you left, so no telling with whom you'll end up with," Ayumi admitted.
"She and I can still be friends," Anna crossed her arms.
Hanoashi felt as though she'd be struck in the heart. I've already been replaced... she mused, feeling hurt, but a gentle hand grasping hers comforted her. "Thanks," she whispered, expecting Rikona but to her surprise it was Lin.
"It's not anyone's fault," Lin encouraged her. "Someone new probably just moved in and they needed a spot in the classroom," she added.
"Thanks," Hanoashi smiled.
"If you can make friends with someone as prickly as I, you'll be fine one way or another. And Anna is right, you can still be friends even if you are in different classes, just look at us," Lin smiled, before letting go of her hand and gazing around the room.
I wish that Yukaro was here...then again they're probably keeping us separated from the boys. If what mom and Nova told me about how mom forced him to exit when changing me was true, it might not be appropriate for friends of the different gender to sleep under the same roof like this.
"I'll bring out the advanced games they bought for her and Nova," Shelia noted, before heading upstairs.
"They already bought them?" Hanoashi gasped.
"Your parent's probably wanted you to master Checkers before bringing out the big guns for you and Nova," Shelia glanced back at her briefly.
"Where is your brother anyways?" Anna asked.
"He...went to live with cousin Medriti over in America after mother died. I've...been staying with Aunt Shelia," Hanoashi noted, tears beginning to well up in her eyes, but she wiped them off, knowing that she needed to stay strong for her guest.
"Oh...I'm so sorry," Anna whispered.
"I miss her...but...she's in a better place," Hanoashi noted, her voice crackling a bit. However, she shook her head and smiled. "Let's make ourselves comfortable during our stay," she noted.
The main problem was that Anna, Ayumi and Sara were familiar with themselves and her, but not with Rikona, Matsu, Azusa and Lin. The reverse was also true, the only link between the two was her. Not that Hanoashi picked up on this fact.
"Are you girls jocks?" Ayumi tipped her head in confusion.
"Jocks!?" Lin hissed, glaring at her.
"Please don't fight," Rikona stepped in between the two.
"Jocks protecting jocks," Ayumi hissed.
"Can't you stop them?" Hanoashi whispered to Shelia and Mizoma shook their heads. "That's your call, it's your house," Shelia laughed. "Just...don't let it go to your head."
Sighing, Hanoashi made her way in between the fighting girls. "Look, let's not fight, okay," she stood firm. "Yes, we do train harder at our school, but it's a girl's athletic school, designed to raise athletes who are also good at grades," she noted to Ayumi.
"And I guess going there makes you think that you are better than us," Ayumi huffed.
"So you are just insecure," Lin snorted, before walking off, watching Sara and Asuza who were in the middle of a game of chess.
"Hanoashi would never see herself as superior to someone else," Rikona huffed.
"And what would you know about inferiority, rich girl?" Ayumi huffed, glaring at her.
"Why you little..." Rikona leaned forward, but Hanoashi stomped her feet. "Enough! None of you are inferior nor superior to each other, so just stop bickering! We have a war going on at our nation's eastern doorstep for Maus sake," Hanoashi fumed, before hurtling into a corner and sighing.
"Sorry..." Rikona walked up, sitting next to her.
"Yeah...we got out of order there," Ayumi apologized.
"No...I shouldn't have lost my temper back there," Hanoashi smiled apologetically, Rising up and gazing around. If only Yu,Drake, Nova, Yukaro, and Hayle could be here...she mused wistfully. About to say something to Rikona, she realized that she had walked off, and a moment later she saw her talking to Anna of all folk, and Lin had stricken up a conversation with Sara.
"Lost?"
Glancing over at Asuza, Hanoashi let out a small nod. "A bit...never had this responsibility before. And I kind of messed up back there I think..." she paused and let out a small sigh.
"I don't think you messed up, getting everyone's attention like that can be a good way to break up a fight like that," Azusa encouraged.
"Maybe..." Hanoashi shrugged. "I'm not sure what I hated more, having to do that to a close friend and a family member, or that I had to do it in the first place more."
"We're all unsure of each other. I mean we just became friends a few days ago, and I've never really spoken to Rikona or Lin. Same with the others," Asuza breathed. "You probably know all of us the best, given that you've actually been friends with all of us."
"I guess that everyone is apprehensive on top of the war and...wait...your word structure is improving," Hanoashi smiled.
"I try," Asuza smiled at her. "But yeah, the war has everyone on edge, even if we don't really understand it that much. The fact that the carrier schools and young children are being evacuated like this..."
"Hey! Monopoly?" Lin called, gazing at them.
"You are on!" Hanoashi smiled, walking over eagerly to have fun with the game. Maybe this won't be too bad after all.