It was a few days after my interesting evening out with Divas, and I was getting dressed for a far more formal social evening. My dress uniform was as well cleaned, neat, and polished as it had been for Demara and Tamworth's wedding (though I supposed it was Demara Tamworth now; I'm ashamed to admit I could never remember her husband's first name), if not more so. As a member of the Commissariat I was expected to appear in uniform, so I didn't have to wear anything so annoying as a tuxedo, thank the Emperor. Though as I changed and got spruced up, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched intently(1). To be safe, I made sure the Aquila was hanging firmly out in front of me; it wouldn't do to run into a Psyker or something and have them discern my true nature. Plus, it leaving my sight would likely cause me to panic, and that wouldn't do for this meeting. It was supposed to be the first official meeting with the governor and the Tau ambassador. I mean, I called it a meeting, but in typical noble fashion, what could have been far more easily accomplished in a simple board room would be turned into an extravagant gala at the governor's palace. At least there'd be amasec and finger food I supposed.
I looked over to Kasteen, who was sweating up a storm in her best dress uniform, complete with many layers of heavy and insulating cloth. It made sense, as she was a Valhallan after all. Her people had adapted to that iceball incredibly well, to the point that while dining in 'comfortable temperatures' for them, you never had to worry about ice cream melting and only worry about your water freezing. So normal Valhallan uniforms, even lighter ones like an officer's dress uniform, were designed for harsh winters. And as a typical Agri World, Gravalax had a rather pleasant, warm atmosphere that was ideal for growing crops. I was reminded of Desolatia IV, my first assignment, and how miserable the ice worlders of the 12th had been there.
"I think Tropical Wear would be appropriate, Colonel." I gently assured her. She turned to me, her face red and drenched from the sweat pouring from underneath her furred hat. I could see in her eyes, and from my Warp senses, that she greatly desired to take my advice. But still she held back, uncertain.
"Are you sure, Commissar?" It was times like this that I remembered she was new to all of this, thrust into the responsibility of higher rank unexpectedly. Then again, I wasn't much older or more experienced than her, I just felt like it based upon my misadventures. Or did that sense of experience and worldliness come from being a Daemon Prince? I dismissed the idle thoughts in favor of advising the commanding officer I was beginning to tentatively consider a friend.
"As I don't want you to die of heatstroke, yes, I am sure." I replied drily, with a teasing smile to take any sting out of it. She took my advice then with relish, immediately pulling off her heavy fur hat and stepping back into her private quarters, behind the office in which I still stood. Within a few short minutes, showing admirable Guard efficiency, she was back in the office, having wiped herself down and changed into her much lighter uniform meant for desert or tropical climates. I noticed the uniform was cut extremely well, flattering her figure and showing her off in a way that would drive a nobleman wild; then again, a picture of said nobleman's sister would probably do the same(2). I of course kept it professional despite how attractive she was, both due to the nature of our professional relationship and also because I was keeping what Divas had said about Illric's interest in mind. Were he actually interested, attempting to attract Kasteen's attention would go against the unspoken code that united males everywhere.
Politely, I took her arm and led her to the door of the office, opening it and stepping out with her. Broklaw and Illric were outside, pacing in wait. I have to admit, the Ranger really pulled off the elegant look well in what seemed to be the Eldar version of formal wear, which was sleek and exotic while still offering him a wide range of movement. He honestly looked like a great black mega-felind with how his muscles flowed underneath the rich fabric of his suit. And then he saw Kastenn, stared with his jaw hanging open, and promptly face planted into a column as he seemed to forget he was still walking.
"Huh. Divas was right." I mused, heading over to help the Ranger up. He took the hand, and I hauled him to his feet. I grinned wickedly as I turned my head to address the confused looking woman, who was red in the cheeks again as she stared at Illric for reasons besides imminent heatstroke. "Feel proud, Colonel Kasteen. Illric has the hots for you."
"This is revenge, isn't it?" The Eldar grumbled, blushing like a juvie despite the fact he'd been alive long before my distant ancestors.
"Indeed it is." I replied, smirk widening.
"Aren't such relationships forbidden?" Broklaw asked me, obviously also taking great enjoyment out of this but maintaining focus on the practicalities. I shrugged, smiling as I answered him.
"Well, I've already decided that the 609th requires a somewhat laxer approach than most regulations would have us take towards such things. Besides, as long as it doesn't affect your ability to fight for The Emperor, I see no issue." Of course, I would learn somewhat later that said relationship WOULD end up affecting Kasteen's ability to fight for The Emperor, at least temporarily, but Illric's increased ferocity during that time more than made up for it(3). Kasteeen just gave the Ranger a considering look, then to my concealed glee strode up to the gobsmacked Eldar and took his arm in hers before we all made our way out of the officer's barracks. To Illric's not so slight terror, Jurgen was there, awaiting us next to a vehicle; I'll give my aide credit, he at least had tried to make himself presentable looking.
"Oh Isha, preserve me." Illric whispered in horror as we entered the staff car. Behind us, our chosen escort loaded up into a transport truck
"I don't get it." Broklaw said in confusion.
"Illric has opinions on Jurgen's driving style." I explained, without giving the upcoming joke away; the damned Eldar really was rubbing off on me. Had Divas been with us, he would have agreed and given them warning, but he was left in charge while the rest of us went to hopefully put a dent in the governor's amasec stores. Then, Jurgen took the wheel and took off, and Illric's opinions were quickly shared by the Colonel and Major, judging by their cursing. I, meanwhile, being quite used to Jurgen's unique style, took the time to laugh at my compatriots' reactions. I suppose I really was a terribly wicked Daemon Prince, delighting in the suffering of mortals, at times like those.
Thus, we sped off to the governor's palace. It was, thankfully, in a place where Tau architecture had not begun to take over, so I was relieved when the familiar corners appeared. What made me less happy, however, was the fact that I was suddenly bathed in debauchery. The entire noble quarter stank of it to high heavens. I let out a sigh, the good mood from earlier forgotten as I was gorged on the sheer amount of excess permeating from the 'modest' mansions we passed by on our way to the palace.
"Is something the matter?" Broklaw asked me politely. Kasteen was too busy gently rubbing Illric's back, as the Ranger looked decidedly ill whenever Jurgen took a turn far too sharply.
"It's just a waste, all of this extravagance." I explained, using that as my excuse as I waved a hand to encompass the noble quarter. Thankfully Broklaw seemed equally disquieted by the apparent misappropriation of resources, and accepted my excuse. And then we came up to the governor's palace, and the buildings we'd passed seemed to be hovels in comparison. "...Emperor preserve me." I whispered, gripping my Aquila tightly as a solid wall of excess plowed into me.
"So should we act impressed?" Broklaw asked, mouth hanging open. Maybe Kasteen would have asked in his stead, but she and Illric were having a quiet, whispered conversation. I could feel Kasteen's kindling interest in the Eldar growing, and decided to let the two of them be.
"No." I sternly replied, pushing down the feeling of fullness from this buffet of decadence. "We're soldiers. We shouldn't be impressed with this. We're here to do a job, and the gilded halls of the nobility are distractions to our duty." Then I grinned, taking any bite out of my previous words and showing the others that any censure was directed at the wasteful nobles, not them. "Or at least, don't let the fops forget it. They'll likely eat up the solemn soldier routine. Meanwhile, we can drink their liquor and eat their food; at least we'll get something out of the evening." With that I slid out of the vehicle, and Jurgen quickly assumed his position besides me. I hesitated for a moment, wanting my closest confidant with me in this den of degeneracy, but knowing that bringing Jurgen anywhere other than a dive bar could be a serious faux pas.
"Jurgen? Get yourself something to eat." I told him.
"So I don't have to cozy up to the nobles?" He asked, sounding slightly hopeful. Oh thank goodness, he was dreading himself being there as much as I was.
"No, you're dismissed." I told him with a smile. He smiled back, and went off to presumably scrounge up some supper and probably watch pornoslates. Our honor guard followed him, their duty done for the moment; we were there, after all. The four of us marched into the palace, as I would occasionally stop to give polite thank yous and encouraging smiles to the servants; their embers of faith were very much enjoyed, a stinging balm protecting me from being smothered by the excess seeping from every gilded tile of this place. The entrance to the palace's front hall was opened for us, and I had to fight to keep a look of utter horror from enveloping my face. The inside was so vulgarly extravagant, so decadent, that I had to check to make sure my Aquila was still on when we entered. It felt almost as bad as when I'd incinerated all those Orks before facing the Warboss with how empowering to me this place was. Illric seemed to notice my horror, and nudged me back to reality.
"Thank you, Illric." I breathed out, steadying myself.
"You're welcome." He replied, and the four of us entered the belly of the beast. The nobles were quite curious at the sight of us, especially since one of our number was a Xenos. While I imagine that in the time that had passed since I'd Damned myself but saved the Eldar… Oh dear Emperor, it was a whole year now, wasn't it? In fact, tomorrow would be one standard year to the day I woke up in the Salamander with the Aquila around my neck. Trying to avoid depressing myself, I turned my thoughts back to the Oathsworn Eldar and how by now the word of their allegiance must have spread(4). It must have still been quite a shock to see an Eldar for the first time though; we'd been at war for longer then before the God-Emperor's first bedsore from His Vigil would have formed after all, and old habits didn't die overnight. So all eyes in the room were on our resident Ranger.
"Should I perform some incredible feat of acrobatics?" Illric asked, amused by the attention and fish-like gawking.
"Do you want to give them a heart attack?" Broklaw deadpanned. Illric being himself paused for a moment, a thoughtful and calculating look on his features. "That was rhetorical." Broklaw grumbled out. Kasteen had to stifle a small giggle at the antics, which now that I thought of it had probably been Illric's goal in the first place; he certainly seemed smug enough for it to have been. Finally, we reached the main area the reception would take place in. In the center of the room, there sat a rather fat man with an imbecilic face upon a tastelessly gaudy throne. He felt wrong to me, as if he were sickly in some way that I couldn't readily take away, but I just passed it off as the result of countless generations of inbreeding(5). And I wasn't about to draw further attention to myself by healing some useless noble who'd never had to scavenge for food or worked a day in their pampered life.
"Governor." I said respectfully, saluting crisply and briefly before gesturing to my companions. "Commissar Ciaphas Cain, presenting Ranger Illric Nightspear, Colonel Regina Kasteen, and Major Ruput Broklaw, of the Valhallan 609th Regiment." The governor smiled, an expression that didn't do anything to assure me that there was a worthwhile human being within that corpulent form.
"I am indeed Governor Grice." He said in a nasally, wheezing voice. "Welcome to my palace." It was then that I slid out of the conversation, as he seemed quite focused on Kasteen, much to Illric's consternation. I decided to scope the place out, and before I had even done a full rotation of the room, I was stopped dead in my tracks. There was a band playing, but they could've been hive gangers scraping metal for all I cared, as I beheld true perfection.
The woman was utterly beautiful, with a voice much the same way. I fought the urge to kneel in awe of her; it was harder to fight than when Slaanesh herself had been before me, which made sense, considering this woman was far more beautiful(6). She was tall and slim, with shoulder-length hair of a shade of blonde I've never seen on anyone else before or since, hanging loose to frame a face which nearly stopped my Warp-tainted heart. Her eyes were the hazy blue of a far horizon, and seemed to transfix me whenever I looked in her direction. Her dress was the same color, almost exactly, and clung to her figure like mist. But that wasn't what had most strongly caught my attention about her. Her soul sang with faithfulness to the God-Emperor, a burning heat that drew me in. I imagine other daemons would want to extinguish it, but as for me? All I wanted to do was bask in it, and let the fires of her faith consume me. I was only shaken from my trance, my entrapment at beholding what form Slaanesh should've taken had she truly wanted to look perfect(7), when I noticed someone standing next to me. I must've been even more captivated than I'd realized if I'd let my situational awareness, an important survival trait, go so much that an untrained civilian could sneak up on me.
"So you're the Ciaphas Cain that's caused me so much trouble." The narrow-faced man with a simple but expensive robe said, handing me a drink. "Erasmus Donali, Imperial Diplomat." I accepted the offered glass with thanks, then shook his free hand.
"I imagine you are referring to the Eldar?" I mused with a chagrined smile.
The Imperial diplomat, a role the less informed might find surprising for the Imperium to have, nodded at my response, seemingly mollified at my contrite expression. "Indeed. I came here after helping get the Craftworld Crudarach settled in the Koronus Expanse(8). At least I'm not just going through paperwork."
I nodded, being reminded of Norbert at meeting another seemingly competent member of the less martial aspects of Imperial service. Sipping at my drink, which I noted paled in comparison to that found at The Eagle's Rest despite no doubt costing far more, I decided to engage my newfound companion in idle conversation while listening to the mesmerizing singer ply her trade. "So what's your hope here?"
Donali shrugged, sipping at his own drink before replying frankly. "Keep the Tau off the planet, and maybe see if I can get any of them to join with us."
I paused. Did an Imperial official just casually confess that they hoped to gain more Xenos citizens for the Imperium? I mean I know that the Oathsworn had set a new precedent, but that sort of plan still seemed borderline heretical. Of course I had no room to point fingers at anything being heresy as long as I existed. "Really?"
"Your stunt with the Eldar managed to shake up ten thousand years of doctrine. Now there's an entire process of integrating Xenos who have seen the God-Emperor's Light into His Imperium." He stated with a smirk at having caught me off guard. "Sanctioned Xenos, as it were."
"I… I had no idea my actions were as far-reaching as that," I admitted quietly. The diplomat, seeing how his words had affected me, gently patted my shoulder and finished off his drink.
"At least it makes diplomacy easier when I'm allowed to give concessions to prevent a war." Donali admitted, shrugging. "But the governor…" He frowned, eyeing his empty glass and clearly wishing for a refill. "He's allowed the system to get too close to them. His bribes from the nobles profiting off of the cold trade(9) have led to this flashpoint, as well as several others." He pointed to another man who seemed to be glaring at the assorted nobles. "One of the Rogue Traders… or so he says."
"You believe him to be an Inquisitor?" I whispered, eyeing the individual my drinking companion had indicated..
"It's a common theme; they're not the most original(10)." I had to admit that he had a point. Inquisitors disguised themselves as Rogue Traders so often that now almost every Rogue Trader was assumed to be an Inquisitor until proven otherwise. I made some more small talk with the diplomat, before moving to where the delicacies were. I caught sight of Kasteen as she went to the dance floor with Illric in hot pursuit. I decided to not go there, as between Kasteen's looks and Illric's graceful movements they would no doubt soon have every eye on them and every tongue wagging about the pretty Imperial Guard officer and her Xeno suitor. Still, I silently wished them luck. Instead, I just hung about the buffet table, sampling the varied bits of overcomplicated if delicious food. It was then that I noticed that the singing had stopped and that great well of faith was moving slightly, in my direction.
"Lose your date?" A familiar voice asked me. Slowly, I turned around, and came face to face with the singer. I temporarily lost myself in her eyes, feeling like I was swimming through an ocean, before my ears picked up what she had said.
"No, no! It's… She's the Colonel of my Regiment." I stammered out like a juvie during his first time realizing that girls were different and enticing creatures. "No romantic relations between us." I was going to go on but her giggling, which made Emeli's and even Slaanesh's sound like a crone's cackle(11), let me in on the fact that she was pulling my leg.
She smiled coyly at me, and her smile, oh her smile; it was all I could do to pay attention to her words and not fall under her sway once more. "I understand; there's very little chance for romance in the Imperial Guard… Commissar…"
"Cain. Ciaphas Cain." I told her, finally managing to get a hold of myself and stop stumbling over my own words.
"Charmed. I'm Amberley Vail." The now-named Amberley replied. "I've heard a bit about you."
"Mostly good things, I hope." I replied honestly to her, truly hoping that whatever she'd heard was in my favor. I set down my small plate and drink, then decided to be brave for once in my existence. Heart thundering in my chest, I smiled back at her and held my hand out. "May I invite you to dance?"
For a long moment that seemed frozen in time, she looked at me with an indiscernible expression, then her hand silently rose to meet mine. "I have a few minutes before my next set." She finally declared, so I took her to the floor. I prayed that I wouldn't do too poorly on the dance floor with a beautiful woman I deeply desired to impress on my arm, and then suddenly I felt a jolt of energy. My body began to move on its own, taking her on a romantic dance that was gentle, yet not boring. It was passionate, but not risque. It was, dare I say it… Perfect. For once, I wasn't upset that the Fourth was apparently treating me like a toy, though why she seemed determined that I'd dance well with Amberley was beyond me(12).
"So, what have you heard about me?" I asked, fishing for information on what she'd heard and thought of me. Dear Emperor, let it be good without her being another person awed to be in the presence of a 'Saint'.
"Well, I heard that you ended ten thousand years of struggle with the Eldar." She replied as we twirled about the dance floor.
"There were exceptional circumstances." I demurred, not going into any details, not even the ones I'd already given out to my superiors or Divas. Civilians weren't supposed to know about Chaos after all.
"Can you tell me?" She whispered into my ear as she leaned against me, and oh how I wanted desperately to spill every secret I had right then and there. The desire I felt to please this woman was strong, but my common sense and survival instincts were as always stronger.
"I'm sorry, Ma'am, but that's classified." I answered apologetically, with a saddened smile to show her that I genuinely did regret not telling her anything. We nearly floated and pranced across the dance floor for a little while, before I overheard a grunt of exasperation from the supposed Rogue Trader, who had been yelling at the increasingly browbeaten looking Governor. My dancing partner noticed my attention straying from her, and looked to see what I was staring at.
"What was that all about?" Amberley asked me lightly. Emperor I hoped she wasn't upset about my attention straying from her, as she was supremely difficult for me to get a read on(13).
"Do you know who that is?" I asked her. I wasn't expecting a reply, but if she were a local entertainer worthy of the Governor's Palace or even someone brought in for the occasion then it wouldn't be surprising for her to have heard a great deal amongst the circles she entertained in(14).
"I heard he's a Rogue Trader. Orelius is his name." Amberley explained, as we swayed in tune to the band. I decided to get us closer to the door; that way, should the worst happen, we'd be able to escape first. I swear, there were absolutely no thoughts in my mind of stealing her away into the moonlit gardens and sweeping her off of her feet. Staring at Orelius, I could pick up that he was desperately trying to hide something, arousing my suspicions.
"A Rogue Trader, hmmm? If that's what he really is." I replied, frowning.
"What do you mean?" Amberley whispered, looking up at me with concerned eyes.
"I think he's actually an Inquisitor. Their hanger-ons can easily be disguised as bodyguards. And that's probably a step up from how they're normally treated, so they'd go along with it." I explained. Amberley started shaking(15), so I held her closer, reveling in the contact. "The Inquisition's presence is never a good sign."
"B-but why would an Inquisitor be here?" She stammered, voice wavering with what I could only imagine was fear.
"Almost certainly because they don't think that this diplomatic move is going to work out," I replied glumly.
"Surely it isn't our issue, right?" She whispered, casting subtle glances Orelius' way.
"Unlikely. The Inquisition is called The Emperor's Pet Psychopaths for a reason. It's possible that he'll write the planet off as lost, and declare an Exterminatus." I growled. I had heard enough horror stories to believe that such rash actions were at least possible. My grim musings caused Amberley to press her face into my shoulder, where I felt a little bit of dampness. Evidently she was crying(16), so I ran my hand over her to comfort her. "I don't think it'll come to that." I added gently, trying to reassure her. At least, that was my hope, offering reassurance; I may have enjoyed the intimate closeness but not at the expense of disturbing her peace of mind. Eventually, she was called back on stage, and I slid back to the entrance of the room, watching her and the people dancing and chatting. It was then that one of the Governor's minions entered the room.
"Presenting O'ran Shui'sassai, diplomatic ambassador of the T'au Empire." He announced with all the snooty pomp of a professional bootlicker. And with that, the T'au I'd met at the bar a few nights ago entered. He entered confidently, but not arrogantly. It was the perfect balance for a diplomat, and he proved his worth in my eyes just as he had upon our first meeting. However, as he entered with his entourage gliding in behind and around him, my palms began to itch furiously. It took me only a moment to realize what was going to happen, as there was only one thing I could think of that would set my palms to itching in the middle of a crowded room when an important functionary had just arrived. I couldn't have war breaking out, I had to stop what I sensed was coming. Amongst the sea of emotions, I could feel a rising sense of anticipation and bloodthirst. I rushed forwards, shoving aside his entourage and then reaching him.
"Com-" O'ran began, as I tackled him to the floor. For the briefest of moments as we were still in midair, I wondered if I had been wrong and just caused the diplomatic incident I'd sought to prevent.
Then I heard the bark of a bolt gun, and a searing pain in my leg. We crumpled to the ground, where I looked at what was left of my legs. The bolt had seared through my left leg, before exploding. I was an amputee at the knee, and some of the bone shards were spiked into my right leg. Everything seemed to freeze, as I dimly heard screams. Was this it? Was I to be banished to the Warp, bleeding out from a catastrophic amputation before aid could arrive? I couldn't exactly take my own pain and injuries into myself, after all, not as far as I knew anyway. Desperate, I was starting to reach for the Aquila on instinct, when a voice echoed in my head, both familiar and not at the same time.
"Don't worry Mr. Cain! I'm here!" A feminine voice rang out within my very soul. Suddenly, the powers of the Warp flowed through me, my leg healing as flesh regrew and knit. "Shhhh… Don't worry, I have you… j-just give me a moment…" The voice was back, and more nervous as black edged my vision, blood still flowing from my wounds. "Please hold on!" The voice begged, and I did my best to do so. Soon, I felt my toes again and my blood replenish, and slowly turned my gaze to the crowd. The Tau guards were nearly upon me; I had feared that they were going to lunge at me as I lay covering their charge and tear me to pieces, but instead, they paused.
"How? How is your leg..." One of them whispered. O'ran just stared at where his ornate yet simple robes were splattered with my blood and bits of viscera.
"You… you saved me…" He then barked something out in his language, which caused his guards to back off away from me. They proceeded to form a defensive perimeter around him, covering him with their bodies. One of the Tau looked at me, and I could dully sense gratitude coming off of him; it wasn't that his sense of gratitude was small, just the opposite, but getting emotions off of the T'au was like trying to hear someone with a heavy pillow pressed over your ears.
"You have done us a great favor, Gue'la." The apparent leader of O'ran's subordinates proclaimed, voice full of reverence.
I would soon, unfortunately, one-up that stunt, thus beginning the course of events that would lead me to risk my final damnation.
"IMPERIAL TREACHERY! BRAVE COMMISSAR DEFIES MASTERS TO SAVE HONORED DIPLOMAT'S LIFE!" - Headline from noted pro-T'au publication, the Mayoh Revolutionary
"HERO OR TRAITOR? IMPERIAL COMMISSAR SAVES XENO LEADER!" -Headline from radical pro-Imperial publication, Gravalax Guardian
"PANIC AT THE PALACE! CAIN STEPS IN!" -Headline from the Gravalax Gazette
"GRAIN PRICES SOAR AS CONFLICT SEEMS LIKELY; WILL PRODUCERS MEET QUOTA?" -On cover of magazine Mayoh Business Insider
"COMMISSAR CAIN: HUNKY HERO" -Featured article of Gravalax Girls Magazine; issues later retracted due to undisclosed reasons(17).
1: BACK OFF SLAANESH HE'S MINE- ahem. From what I gathered, Ciaphas was attracting the attention of his patron for unknown reasons here.
2: Incest isn't as common in Imperial Nobility as he thinks. I mean, it happens, but it's not COMMON.
3: In other words, he got her pregnant.
4: The knowledge of the Eldar joining was given maximum priority for all Astropaths, which allowed the knowledge to reach the rest of the Imperium in record time.
5: In this case, Ciaphas was somewhat accurate, though not in the way either of us would have thought of at the time.
6: Uhmmm… wow. Uhm, Ciapahas, I don't even…
7: I… I don't know what to do with this. Is that allowed? Is it heretical to suggest a mere mortal woman is…. Perfect? Uhm… I… I need an adult. I need an adultier adult.
8: The Von Valancius Dynasty of Rogue Traders would have the honor of the Craftworld settling upon the world of Janus, which turned out to be an Eldar Maiden world. The current heir to the Dynasty is in a three-way relationship with one of the Eldar Rangers from this Craftworld, and his Navigator.
9: This is the trade in Xenos Artifacts.
10: I have shown Ciaphas that I can be very… creative.
11: Ciaphas, stop, please. I can only blush so much.
12: I believe that Slaanesh was, as younger Inquisitors say, 'shipping' us, and was helping Cain along. I don't know whether to be thankful or start researching how to scratch a Warp Entity's eyes out.
13: I appreciate the compliment, as it's both a skill I've worked hard on and not easy getting so into character that you can fool someone capable of reading emotions.
14: One of the reasons why one of my most common covers is as a singer is because you are invited into high ranking social circles and largely ignored while you observe and listen. That, plus I'm genuinely good at it and enjoy it, making it easy to get into character.
15: With laughter.
16: Of laughter.
17: I swear, I have no idea how that happened. Nor do I possess a copy; honest.