Chapter XXI:
Tea Party
"This is much nicer than my old wagon," Otto mused, patting the side of the well-crafted carriage as he finished hitching Frufoo to the cart. Patrasche, meanwhile, pawed at the ground impatiently, her golden eyes watching Subaru as if waiting for him to signal their departure.
Subaru still wasn't sure how to feel about Ferris gifting Patrasche to him on Crusch's behalf. She had refused any other riders since the subjugation of the White Whale, and though Subaru was no expert on earth dragons, he doubted he could find a finer one in all of Lugunica. She had saved his life more times than he could count—far more than he deserved.
"Well, technically, it belongs to Roswaal," Subaru said, eyeing the carriage. It was one of the larger ones from the Mathers estate, polished and refined. A small, petty part of him almost wished they'd crash it—just enough to make Roswaal buy another. As long as neither Felt nor Emilia was inside, of course.
"Subaru."
He turned at the sound of his name and saw Frederica approaching, her elegant stride as composed as ever. Beside her was Petra, her bright, youthful energy a stark contrast to the tall, poised maid beside her.
"Seeing us off?" Subaru asked, glancing over their shoulders at the source of an escalating argument. Felt and Emilia were deep in a heated discussion, their voices rising in tandem.
Frederica sighed, her sharp emerald eyes flicking toward the commotion. "That appears to be a problem."
"What's it about this time?" Subaru crossed his arms.
"I'm not entirely sure," Frederica admitted. "Last I checked, it had something to do with breakfast. Lady Felt took the last pastry I made, and Lady Emilia had been too preoccupied with her crystal to notice. When she finally realized, Lady Felt made a rather crass joke, and, well…" She trailed off, gesturing toward the bickering candidates.
"Of course," Subaru muttered, rubbing his temples. "That figures. Well, I'm sure they'll work it out."
"That's not why I came," Frederica said, holding out her hand. Resting in her palm was a blue gemstone attached to a black cord necklace. "I want you to take this."
Subaru reached out, picking up the gem. A faint hum of magic pulsed beneath his fingers. He wasn't sure what kind of enchantment it held, but there was something undeniably significant about it.
"A gem?" he asked.
"It will allow you to pass through the Sanctuary's barrier," Frederica explained. "It may also help with my little brother. From what I've heard, he has become quite… protective of the place."
Subaru turned the crystal over in his fingers, feeling its weight. Protective, huh? That sounded like a polite way of saying hostile.
After a moment, he tucked it safely into his pocket. "I'll take good care of it," he promised.
Frederica smiled, though there was something almost wistful in the expression. Her gaze drifted toward Emilia, her composure faltering for just a moment. "I have asked her to take good care of the Sanctuary," she said softly. "But I would ask you to take care of Lady Emilia as well. I understand that your loyalty is to Lady Felt, but—"
"I've given a lot to keep everyone here safe," Subaru interrupted, his voice firmer than he expected. "I won't let anything happen to Emilia."
"Very good," Frederica murmured, satisfied.
Petra stepped forward, her small hands clasped in front of her. "Subaru, you've done so much for Arlam and my friends. Please come back safe… and bring everyone home."
Subaru's heart clenched. He reached down, ruffling her hair in a way that drew a beaming smile from her.
"You might not realize it," Petra continued, shifting slightly, "but you're kind of a hero to us now. You saved everyone. If you could… just be a bit more of a hero, it would mean a lot."
A hero? Me?
Subaru blinked. He supposed it made sense. He had led the charge against the White Whale, fought the Witch Cult, and saved Arlam. But the word felt… wrong. He didn't feel like a hero. He had died—again, and again, and again—failing, stumbling, clawing his way back from endless despair.
How many times had he seen her lifeless body? How many times had he failed to save them all?
I'm not a hero, Petra… I'm just someone who can't accept losing the people I care about.
Still, he forced a smile, hollow and weightless. "Thanks," he said.
Subaru rode alongside the carriage on Patrasche, his hand never far from the hilt of his sword. The weight of uncertainty pressed down on him like a lead mantle. He had grown so used to knowing what came next—so dependent on that cruel cycle of trial and error—that simply moving forward without a clear danger felt unnatural.
He couldn't shake the feeling that death was waiting for him again, just around the next bend. The Sanctuary loomed ahead, shrouded in mystery, and he couldn't help but suspect it would bring new pain. And then there was Roswaal. Subaru had no doubt their paths would collide—violently. The mage had been absent when he was needed most. And while Subaru would never deny Roswaal's power, he couldn't forgive the man for his silence… or his apathy.
"They're at it again," Otto said from the bench, his tone dry.
"Arguing? What about this time?" Subaru asked, though he already had a hunch.
"Something about how the alliance will function going forward," Otto said, with a shrug. "Though… I think it's not really about politics."
Subaru frowned. He could tell Otto was being coy, but he already knew where this was headed.
"I don't think I'm worth getting mad over," he muttered.
"Maybe not," Otto replied, smirking. "But I've seen how they look at you."
Subaru's grip tightened slightly on the reins. He wasn't blind to Felt's recent behavior. The blushes, the flustered huffs, the way her glare lingered just a bit too long when he stood near Emilia. Their dynamic had shifted. Since Rom's memories had been taken, something had changed in her—not just how she acted, but perhaps how she remembered him.
She must think I was the one who raised her. If she credits me with everything Rom did... could that mean she's—
No. He shook the thought from his head.
"Felt's always been like a sister to me," Subaru said firmly. "We're close, sure. Always have been. Always will be."
Otto chuckled. "And Miss Emilia? She certainly cares about you. Might be that both of them are figuring out how much… and where that leaves you."
Subaru didn't respond right away. He looked up at the sky, watching the clouds drift slowly past. Normally, the idea of two beautiful women fighting over him would have inflated his ego for weeks. But not now. Not like this.
This wasn't a romantic squabble. These were two royal candidates. Their interest in him—real or imagined—was dangerous. If things escalated, it could unravel alliances, shift loyalties, and possibly spark conflict within their already fragile union.
Maybe Felt's behavior wasn't even about love. Maybe it was jealousy—watching him risk everything for Emilia and the people of Arlam. Maybe she simply wanted to feel like she still mattered to him.
Dragon, please don't let Rem get involved in this too, Subaru thought grimly, though deep down, he suspected that was already a lost cause.
"How close are we?" Subaru asked, glancing up at the sun as it dipped lower on the horizon. Evening crept closer with every second.
"Not far. At least, that's what Frederica told me," Otto replied, adjusting his grip on the reins as the cart rolled steadily forward into the thickening trees.
"The Forest of Kremaldy," Subaru muttered, eyeing the dense thickets that lined either side of the road. "I like the woods. It's peaceful. Cleaner. Feels more… natural than the capital. Nothing like the slums."
"What, getting sentimental? Planning to sit under a tree with a book and a loaf of bread?" Otto teased.
"Sounds kind of perfect, honestly," Subaru smirked. "Maybe I'll build a forge out here. Live like some forest-bound myth, making enchanted weapons for adventurers who brave the wilds to find me. Could be a nice retirement."
"You make it sound poetic," Otto chuckled, then sighed. "You do remember there are Witch Beasts out here, right? And worse things."
"Sure," Subaru shrugged. "Just need a barrier or two. Besides, I can handle myself."
"Well—"
There was a sudden thump from inside the carriage. Subaru's hand instinctively went to his sword as he twisted in the saddle.
"Flam? Garassis? What was—"
Before he could finish, the blue gem around his neck began to glow.
Subaru froze, wide-eyed. The Sanctuary? Was that what this meant?
"Otto, we need to—"
He blinked.
And found himself standing alone in the middle of the woods.
"What the hell…?" Subaru looked around. "I was just on Patrasche. When did I—?"
His grip tightened on the hilt of his sword, knuckles white. Something wasn't right. Not even close.
Then, from the trees ahead, a figure emerged.
A girl—small, barefoot, with pink hair and long, pointed ears. Her cloak fluttered slightly as she stepped into the clearing, her blue eyes watching him.
"You're not an elf… are you?" Subaru asked, confused but intrigued.
The girl said nothing.
Then, without warning, she turned and darted back into the woods.
Subaru hesitated. Every instinct told him it was a trap—but what if the others were in danger?
"Damn it," he muttered and sprinted after her.
He chased the pink-haired girl through the forest until he stumbled into a clearing. But she was gone.
In her place stood an old stone temple, half-swallowed by creeping vines and cracked masonry. Its steps, worn from time, led to a shadowed entry.
Subaru's eyes narrowed. "What the hell is this…?"
"Felt? Emilia? Otto? Twins?" he shouted as he ascended the steps. No answer.
Did the same thing happen to them? Were they pulled away too?
The long hall inside was dark and cold. He hesitated, then drew his sword and fed mana into it. Flames erupted along the blade, casting flickering orange light across the stone walls. Carvings lined them—ancient, worn, and nearly lost to time.
"Felt! Emilia! Anyone!" he called again.
Then a voice echoed—smooth, feminine, and everywhere at once.
"You're different than I imagined."
Subaru spun, heart pounding. "What the hell?"
"How… interesting."
In the blink of an eye, the temple vanished.
He stood in the middle of an endless field of green. Rolling hills spread to the horizon beneath a soft, golden sky. A warm breeze ruffled his coat and hair. It was serene, almost peaceful.
And completely wrong.
"If you would be so kind as to put that away," a woman's voice said behind him.
Subaru turned.
Atop a nearby hill sat two chairs and a small table beneath a purple sunshade. A tea set lay waiting.
Seated at one of the chairs was a woman in a sleek black dress laced with thin white stripes. Her long silver hair danced in the wind, a green butterfly clip holding one side in place. Her lashes were thick and pale, her irises black with stark white pupils.
She smiled at him gently.
"I'd hate to startle you too much. Men with swords can be so… unpredictable when provoked."
Subaru stared. Everything about her was familiar. Wrongly familiar.
"You…" Subaru swallowed hard, his eyes locked on the woman before him. "I think… I know who you are. But that's impossible."
"Oh?" she tilted her head, reclining ever so slightly in her seat as her smile widened. "Please, indulge me. I'd love to see just how clever you really are."
"You can't be," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're… Echidna. The Witch of Greed."
Her smile turned sly, pleased. "Interesting. Very interesting indeed," she chuckled, folding her hands in her lap. "Well done. You are correct. I am Echidna. Tell me, what gave me away?"
"I've read some books in the Forbidden Library," Subaru said cautiously. "One of them described the Witches. You matched the description exactly."
"A well-read guest? How delightful," she said, sounding genuinely pleased. "Please, do try not to look so tense. And put that sword away, would you? Despite being a Witch, I am still a delicate young maiden. Men with swords should protect lovely flowers like me, don't you think?"
Subaru's hand remained tightly clenched around the hilt of his sword. He didn't know whether to use it or not. Everything about this was wrong. Echidna was supposed to be long dead. Yet here she was—calm, composed, and pouring tea like they were in the garden of some noble's estate.
Nothing about this felt real.
Still, slowly and warily, Subaru cut the flow of mana from his blade and sheathed it, his eyes never leaving her.
"That's better," she said softly, gesturing toward the seat across from her. "Please, sit. It's been so long since I've had company. Tea alone is terribly dull."
"Is this a dream?" Subaru asked as he stepped forward, "Or am I really here?"
"You're at one of my tea parties," Echidna said sweetly. "Your body is still in the hallway, slumped over and unconscious. Don't worry—nothing underhanded will happen while you're away. I give you my word."
"I'm supposed to trust the word of a Witch?" Subaru narrowed his eyes.
Echidna leaned forward, resting her chin on one hand. "From what I can tell, you've already placed a great deal of trust in Witches—without even realizing it."
Subaru's brow furrowed. "What do you mean by that?"
She gave him a playful smirk, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Well, if you want answers, you'll have to sit and share a cup of tea with me, won't you?"
Slowly, Subaru climbed the hill, eyes fixed on Echidna as he tried to read her. With hesitant steps, he settled into the chair across from her. His eyes dropped to the teacup before him—filled with an orange-tinged liquid. Lifting it slightly, he gave it a cautious sniff. It smelled like tea.
"What's in the cup?" he asked, eyeing her suspiciously.
"Tea," she replied sweetly, leaning forward with a smile. "That is the point of a tea party, you know? It's not poison, if that's what you're worried about. Go on—have a sip."
Subaru swirled the cup gently. He hesitated. Drinking anything offered by the Witch of Greed didn't exactly scream good idea. But if he wanted answers, playing along was likely his only option. And if something did go wrong... well, worst-case scenario, he had a way out.
He raised the cup to his lips and took a cautious sip. It wasn't the best tea he'd ever had, but it wasn't bad either—earthy and floral, smooth on the tongue. He drained the cup and set it down slowly.
"I was curious if you'd drink it," Echidna mused, her smile curling. "Most wouldn't dare accept a drink from a Witch. So tell me, Subaru—are you brave? Or do you simply believe the consequences don't apply to you?"
"Well," Subaru said, shrugging, "I'm not dead. So I'll assume it was safe."
"Oh, it was safe," she giggled. "Though, it's a rather unique blend."
"Unique?" he asked, wary. "How so?"
"Well, it's made here, and I don't exactly have ingredients. So I brewed it using the only thing available—my bodily fluids."
Subaru froze. His face went slack as he glanced down at the cup.
"That's… disgusting."
"You didn't seem to mind a minute ago," Echidna said with a playful tilt of her head. "Besides, ignorance is such an unfortunate thing, don't you think?"
Subaru pushed the cup away carefully, his face pale. Right. No more snacks from Witches.
"You haven't introduced yourself yet," Echidna added lightly. "Keeping me in suspense? That's rather rude, you know."
"I'm pretty sure you already know who I am," Subaru replied, frowning. "You brought me here, didn't you? I'd be shocked if you didn't already know my name."
"True," she said with a playful smirk. "But it's still polite to offer your name. I am just a helpless young maiden, remember?"
Subaru narrowed his eyes. She was toying with him—he could feel it—but there didn't seem to be any malice behind it. Just amusement. She was probing. Testing. Trying to understand him.
"Natsuki Subaru," he said at last. "Pleasure."
"The pleasure is all mine, Subaru," she purred, resting her chin in her hands as she studied him. "So, you've read about me in the Forbidden Library? How flattering. Tell me, do I live up to the image you had in your head?"
"You're… kinder than I expected," Subaru admitted, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Though I'm not sure if that's real, or just an act."
"A cautious one," she observed, her smile growing. "Was that always the case, or is that new?"
Subaru didn't answer. Instead, he pushed forward. "Why bring me here?"
"I may have invited you," she said lightly, "but you accepted. Knowingly or not. Still, I could send you back, if you'd prefer."
Subaru hesitated. He didn't trust her. But he needed answers. Walking away wouldn't get him anywhere.
"No," he said. "I'll stay."
Her smile brightened. "Good. I thought you might. You and I are not so different, Subaru—curious to a fault. Hungry for answers. And so... why don't we get rid of all the distractions?"
The world shattered.
The gentle hills cracked and fell away. The breeze vanished. The sky turned black, scattered with swirling nebulas and glimmering stars. The universe opened around them—endless, unknowable.
"You have the honor of speaking with the Witch of Greed," Echidna said calmly. "It is a privilege few are granted."
Her voice echoed across the void, calm and sharp.
"Are you here seeking knowledge of Daphne, the Witch of Gluttony, who twisted the will of God to create beasts to spare the world from hunger? Or Carmilla, the Witch of Lust, who gave emotions to non-human beings in her quest to fill the world with love?"
Her tone darkened as she continued.
"Perhaps Minerva, the Witch of Wrath—who hated pain so deeply she healed those she struck? Or Sekhmet, the Witch of Sloth, who desired rest so fiercely she fell from the Dragon's back at the great waterfall?"
Each name sent a chill down Subaru's spine.
"Typhon, the Witch of Pride, who in her youthful arrogance, judged sinners over and over again, with a cruelty she believed to be justice. And of course… Echidna, the Witch of Greed—who sought all knowledge, who desired everything, and who carries the weight of her regrets with each answer she uncovers."
Subaru's heart was pounding. He knew who was next. He could feel it coming—like a chill slithering up his spine. His chest tightened, breath caught. The hairs on his arms stood on end.
"And then," Echidna said, her voice barely a whisper now, "there is the Witch of Envy—the one who slaughtered her sisters, devouring them in a frenzy of obsession. The one whose power consumed everything in her path. The most dangerous of them all."
Subaru felt it—a squeezing in his chest, cold and suffocating. A phantom hand pressing against his heart.
Then, in the blink of an eye, the void vanished.
They were back—seated atop the grassy hill, the shade of the parasol casting long shadows as a gentle breeze returned, cool against the sweat on Subaru's face.
Echidna sipped her tea casually, as if she hadn't just rattled the very soul out of him.
"Was that too much for you?" Echidna asked sweetly, her head tilted with faux concern. "I do apologize if I overwhelmed you. The depths of my knowledge… well, I sometimes forget how heavy it can be for others to handle."
Subaru opened his mouth to respond, but a sudden tightness seized his chest. It felt as if something cold and unseen was wrapping around his heart, squeezing. He staggered, gasping. "You… did you poison the tea?" he choked out.
"Oh, don't be dramatic," Echidna giggled, brushing a strand of silver hair behind her ear. "I simply used it to... adjust the Witch Factor of Envy inside you. Gave your resistance a little nudge. So now, we can speak more freely."
Subaru stared, breath catching. "Wait… you mean…"
"Yes," she said with a smirk. "Go on. Ask your questions. I'm listening."
Subaru hesitated, then leaned forward, his voice wary. "What do you want with me, exactly?"
"You're fascinating," Echidna said, her tone playful but eyes sharp. "Quite desirable, in fact."
He flushed. "D-Desirable? I don't exactly want to be wanted by a witch."
"Too late for that," she said, eyes glinting. "Besides… you're already quite taken, aren't you? The Witch of Envy is obsessed with you. Possessive to a terrifying degree."
Subaru swallowed hard. He bit his tongue—literally—to stop himself from speaking. He couldn't talk about it. Not unless he wanted to suffer. Or worse, kill Echidna in front of him. If she even could die again.
"I wonder…" she leaned her cheek into her palm. "You took the Sloth Witch Factor, didn't you? From its prior owner."
"I… did I?" Subaru blinked, thrown off.
"Oh, you did," she nodded, pleased. "It's clinging to you like smoke. What I find intriguing is… you inherited it without destroying the soul of the previous bearer. Was that your intention?"
Subaru's brows drew together. "Wait. What? I watched Petelgeuse wither away right in front of me."
Echidna tilted her head, her smile fading into something more curious. "You really haven't noticed? Or perhaps you've just been avoiding it. But yes—he's still in there. With you."
Subaru froze.
A chill swept through him, icy and nauseating. "He's… alive? Inside me?!"
Echidna waved her hand dismissively. "Alive might be too generous a term. More like… residual. Faint echoes of a shattered mind. If he could take control, I imagine he would have tried already. Without his Witch Factor, he's hardly a threat to someone like you."
"That's not comforting," Subaru said through gritted teeth. "I don't want him in me. Not whispering, not waiting, not anything. I want him gone."
"And perhaps you'll get that chance," Echidna said lightly, as if talking about pruning a garden. "But not today. For now, you'll just have to accept his lingering presence."
Subaru shivered at the thought, his fists clenching. Petelgeuse… still inside him?
Echidna reached for her teacup again, swirling the liquid lazily.
"But let's not ruin the tea party with thoughts of madness and murder, shall we?" she said, lifting the cup to her lips. "There's still so much more to talk about."
Subaru forced himself to relax, though the idea that a lunatic might now be sharing headspace with him was... less than reassuring. "Alright, questions then," he said, drumming his fingers against the table, eyes fixed on Echidna as she sipped her tea like this was the most casual affair in the world. "First off—where am I? My body, I mean. Not this place."
"You are in the Witch's Graveyard," she said easily. "More formally, it is known as the Sanctuary. It's where I was laid to rest upon my death."
Subaru nodded slowly. "So the ruins outside… that's the Sanctuary? This place is meant to guard your corpse?"
"That wasn't the original purpose," Echidna admitted, swirling her tea. "But yes, as things stand, that's the role it serves now."
Subaru tapped his foot, processing. "Do you know who Roswaal is?"
A wide smile spread across her lips. "I am well acquainted with him."
Subaru's blood ran cold. "Well acquainted?" he echoed. "From what I've gathered, you died centuries ago. So unless I've missed something huge, there's a gap here. 'Knowing' him and being 'well acquainted' aren't the same thing. I don't think you misspoke either."
"Perceptive," she murmured, eyeing him with quiet amusement. "You're right. The Roswaal you know is not the same as the one I once spoke to in the flesh… but in his own way, he's been continuing that conversation ever since."
Subaru blinked. "What does that even mean…?"
"I wasn't there to see it myself, but I know this much—he's changed. Or rather, evolved… and his obsession with me? Oh, that's grown rather poetic over time," she smirked, her gaze cutting deep. "I can see he's left quite the mark on you."
"You mean the contract?" Subaru muttered. "Can you tell me how to get out of it?"
"I might," she said teasingly. "But I'm curious to see whether you can break it yourself. I'm greedy, remember? I want to see what happens when two powerful forces finally collide. It's so… deliciously unpredictable."
"Figures," Subaru sighed. "You're not exactly the type to hand over answers for free."
"Not yet," she said, voice like silk. "But under the right circumstances… I would share everything I am with you."
Subaru swallowed. He wasn't sure if that was a promise or a threat—or both. He could feel how dangerous she was, not just in raw power, but in how much she knew.
She's not in the dark. She's watching everything from the top of the tower.
"You said earlier I've put a lot of faith in Witches," Subaru said carefully. "Plural. I know I'm connected to one Witch… but who's the other?"
Echidna tilted her head, bemused. "I think you know."
He frowned. "You? How? This is the first time we've spoken."
"Spoken, yes. Interacted? No," she said, her smirk returning. "You've been drawing from my knowledge for a while now. I dare say it's the only reason you've made it this far."
Subaru's eyes widened. "You… wrote the books in the Forbidden Library?"
"Not all of them," she replied with a wave of her hand. "Some came from other scholars. But the majority—especially the useful ones—are mine."
"Including the one on runecraft?" Subaru asked, his hand brushing the hilt of his sword.
"Indeed," she said, clearly pleased. "I've been watching your progress with great interest. You're quite the specimen, Subaru. I'd love to study you—ethically, of course… mostly."
Subaru shivered. "Yeah… not sure how I feel about being someone's lab rat."
"Oh, get your mind out of the gutter," she giggled, "or don't—I'm not here to judge. Just know that I could make your life… significantly easier, should we come to an agreement."
"Last time I made a deal with a magic user, it ended… poorly," Subaru muttered, his fist clenching. "I don't think I'm keen to repeat that mistake."
"Who said I was offering you a deal?" Echidna grinned. "You're interesting, yes—but we've only just met. You're a bold one. I can't yet tell if you're brave or just hopelessly stupid."
She leaned forward slightly, her eyes glittering with amusement. "Either way… I like you. I think we're going to have a lot of fun."
Before Subaru could form a reply, the ground beneath them gave a soft rumble—like a heartbeat echoing through the earth. Echidna gave a wistful sigh.
"Well, all good things must come to an end, I suppose. It's time to wrap up our little tea party."
Subaru rose to his feet as she did, watching as she snapped her fingers. A shimmering black tear appeared in the air beside them, a rippling void that pulsed with unnatural energy.
"But before you go," she said, stepping close, "I'll need something in return."
Her hand came to rest gently over his heart, her touch featherlight yet strangely heavy with meaning. "A vow. Harmless, I assure you. You are not to speak of what happened here—no word of our conversation, or even my presence, to anyone."
Subaru hesitated—then nodded. "Fine. That's simple enough."
Echidna's expression turned sly, her hand lingering against him. "As a reward for being such a delightful guest, I'll grant you something in return—the right to challenge the Trials of the Sanctuary."
"Trials?" Subaru echoed. "What for?"
"You'll see," she said with a cryptic smile. "You'll understand soon enough."
Her fingers trailed against his chest for a moment longer before she drew her hand back—and then, to Subaru's surprise, she licked the fingers that had touched him. There was something uncomfortably intimate in the gesture, something that sent a chill racing down his spine.
"The thought of what's to come… gives me such delicious anticipation."
Subaru's mouth was dry. "You… really are the Witch of Greed."
"Indeed," she whispered, stepping close—so close their bodies nearly touched. "I am a terrifying magic user. A manipulator. A monster to some. I wonder…" Her voice softened, "...will people say the same of you, one day?"
And then she smiled—a small, knowing, wicked thing—and tapped him lightly on the forehead.
In the blink of an eye, Subaru felt the world fall away. He tumbled backward through the dark rift, Echidna's expression the last thing he saw—smiling, serene, and impossible to read.
A/N: I am a madman. Enjoy your suprise Friday Chapter. See you Sunday!