"Careful Bell." An old man softly said. "Remember what I taught you. Keep your breathing steady, don't pull back until you're ready, and when you're ready, fire."
A boy no older than seven waited behind a bush with his Grandfather. A bow in his hands with an arrow knocked into the drawstring. In front of the two was a small doe nibbling on a patch of grass, unaware of the two's presence.
The older man's hand rested on the boy's shoulder as he drew the drawstring back. His red eyes were hard and laser-focused, and his breathing slowed to a crawl. The world around him seemed to slow, as there was nothing but him and the doe. With a small breath, the boy loosed the arrow and watched as it soared through the air before sinking into the doe's skin.
It pierced its heart causing the doe to thud to the ground. Not a single sound or shriek left its lips as it was dead before it hit the ground. Cold black eyes stared at nothing as the boy lowered the bow.
The older man smiled and patted the boy's shoulder. "Good job Bell, that was an excellent shot."
The boy now named Bell smiled and looked over to the dead doe. It's still, unmoving body and blank eyes scaring him a little. "Do they always...do they always just drop like that?"
The old man nodded. "Aye they do, but that just means you're a good shot. It's better to give the animal a quick death than a long drawn-out one."
Bell frowned and looked to the ground. "Does the animal feel any pain when we kill them?"
The old man was quiet for a second. As if contemplating an answer suitable for the boy. "Only for a second, and even then it's more like a sharp pin prick than anything else. They're dead before they even realize what's happening."
Bell was quiet as his Grandpa stood from the brush they were hiding behind. A dagger was already in his hand and a rope was around his shoulder. "Come on Bell, time to teach you how to skin and clean it."
The boy gulped and his face turned slightly green as he followed after his Grandpa. The old man knelt beside the doe and gestured Bell forward. Tentatively Bell inched forward until the old man sighed and shook his head.
"Alright, first start with an incision right about here."
The old man cut into the doe and the smell of guts hit Bell's nose like a speeding cart to the face. He dry heaved and stumbled away as bile rose to his throat. The old man just sighed and shook his head again as Bell ducked behind a tree and emptied his guts.
"You're going to have to learn to do this someday Bell." His Grandpa called out.
But Bell was too busy throwing up behind a tree to register what he was saying. Eggs and bacon expelled themselves from his gut as his Grandpa continued to skin the doe.
Bell groaned and wiped his lips, feeling his throat burn and an awful taste was resting on his tongue. He spit but the taste was still there and wouldn't be going away anytime soon.
Bell looked up and saw an elf, with beautiful golden honey-colored hair and hazel eyes. She was a few years older than Bell. By how many years he didn't know, and she looked at him apprehensively before smiling.
"Hello, I'm Alicia. What's your name?"
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"Show me your magic." A nine-year-old Bell demanded.
Alicia, who was now sixteen smiled and patted Bell on the head. "I tell you about it once and now you're jumping to see it."
"Well duh! It's magic, magic's cool."
"You've never seen magic, so how do you know it's cool?"
Bell frowned. "Because my books told me so! Now come in I wanna see your magic!"
Alicia rolled her eyes and placed a finger on her chin. "Hmm, I don't know? Some unruly child is being very petulant and insistent right now."
Bell's frown deepened and he pouted, crossing his arms and turning away. Alicia giggled and rubbed his hair again. Bell pretended to pull away but didn't as Alicia took her hand back and started chanting.
Bell's eyes widened as the wind softly blew his hair and the trees around them. A bluish-white glow filled Alicia's hand before traveling up to just above her head and forming into a ball of ice. It spun in the air a foot above her head, but nothing else happened.
Bell didn't care though, his red eyes were wide with stars and amazement. Alicia smiled and dispelled the magic. Letting the ice turn into air and disappear from sight.
"There, happy?" Alicia quipped.
Bell nodded quickly, his white hair flying up and down. "Mhmm. Do it again."
Alicia rolled her eyes. "The things I do for you." She said, and then started her chant once more.
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Two arrows flew through the air and impacted a makeshift target carved into the tree. Alicia's hit the bullseye while Bell's hit a ring away. He lowered his bow and raised his head while he groaned.
"Ooh look at that. Looks like another win for me." Alicia teased.
"Shut up, you just have an easier time winning because you're taller!"
Alicia raised her brow as she took her arrow out of the tree. "Oh, so that's your excuse now? Last time it was because I have longer arms so I can pull the bowstring back farther. Before that, it was because I have a better bow."
Bell grumbled as he wrenched his arrow from the tree. "All very good points you refuse to accept."
Alicia giggled and stepped back to their previous spot. Notching the arrow and pulling back the drawstring. "Or maybe." She loosed it and hit another bullseye. "I'm just better than you."
"I hate this game." Bell huffed.
Alicia smiled and strutted up to the target. "Oh, but I quite like this. It's always so fun beating you at archery."
Bell shook his head before notching his arrow and pulling back. He focused and slowed his breathing lining his arrow up with the bullseye. Only for Alicia to blow in his ear causing him to jump and shoot his arrow deeper into the woods.
His hand quickly came to block his ear as Alicia giggled and Bell took a few steps away. "That's cheating!"
Alicia held her hands behind her back and giggled. "Oh I'm sorry, but seeing your little face so focused and concentrated was cute. I just couldn't help myself."
Bell blushed but looked away. His lips pulling themselves down into a weak frown. "Still cheating."
"And for that, I am truly sorry." She said, though anyone with ears could tell she was not.
Bell's ears must've needed checking as he looked back. "Fine, I forgive you."
Alicia smiled and went to speak once more. Whether to cheer him on or to jape, Bell would never know as the words died in her throat silenced by a growl coming from the bushes.
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Bell's eyes fluttered open as the man next to him shook him awake. He was a tall man who looked to be in his early twenties. With orange hair that could pass as blonde in certain lights. He was dressed in a dark green jacket that was light brown in the middle. With striped yellow pants that were tucked into his brown boots. Followed along with a fedora with a feather in its rim and a red scarf.
"Wake up Bell, we've arrived." He nudged, his voice cheery and jovial. "Also your sleeve is up."
The boy, who was now sixteen looked down to his right arm. Seeing the faint tip of his scar which he quickly covered with the sleeve of his open brown jacket. Underneath it was a dark green tunic tucked into black pants which were held up by a red belt. All of his clothes were covered by leather armor hiding the necklace he wore around his neck. On his left hip was a hatchet while his right possessed a war hammer able to be wielded with one hand. Resting on the benches next to him was a bow, made from a black wood of his home forest along with his quiver filled with arrows. Plus a rucksack with his belongings.
Bell grabbed the items and strapped them to his back before hopping off the wagon he had been able to hitch a ride on for the last hundred miles. A payment for saving the merchant from a pack of Kobolds. The young man jumped down beside him, holding his hat to his head so it wouldn't fly away.
"Ah, it's so good to be home." The man sighed. "Come Bell, I must show you the sights." He started walking to the gate and Bell gave the merchant a friendly wave as he approached the gate.
The merchant gave one back along with a grateful look to Bell as the two men reached the line at the gate. It wasn't long as it was still early morning. So after waiting for twenty minutes, the two arrived at the guard booth. The guards, who were two men in blue tunics with red elephant masks over their faces seemed to sag their shoulders seeing their approach.
"Welcome back to Orario Lord Hermes." One of them sighed.
"Who'd you bring this time?"
Hermes placed his hand to his chest in mock hurt before gesturing to Bell. "Why I've merely brought my wayward child to Orario. You see he's decided he no longer wants to be a part of my familia so I've journeyed with him to approve of a transfer. I of course will be paying for his entrance fee."
The guards gave an appraising look to Hermes, before their eyes shifted over to Bell who smiled and gave them a small wave. Their eyes then turned back to Hermes who was still grinning.
"You vouch for him?" The one at the desk asked.
"Why of course," Hermes answered, plopping a pouch of Valis down on the table.
The guard at the table sighed, pinching his temple before waving Bell forward. "Hi, welcome to Orario. Behave yourself and you won't get thrown in jail. Lord Hermes vouches for you but don't abuse his good word."
Bell gave the man a smile and a nod. "I promise to behave myself." He said. His voice soft and boyish but slightly deep.
The guard at the table waved him off and waved the next person forward, the second guard, the one who had been standing off the side called out.
"And make sure to keep those weapons stowed!"
Bell gave a smile and a thumbs-up as he and Hermes headed deeper into the city.
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"And over here we have the pleasure district," Hermes said gesturing to a gatehouse where two bronze-skinned amazons stood. Spears in hand while another sat inside the gatehouse. "Make sure you at least go there once during your stay here. I know your Grandpa will be particularly happy if you do." Hermes then leaned in. "But make sure not to draw Ishtar's eye. Otherwise, well, she might pry that secret of yours from your lips."
Bell glanced at the district as they walked past before looking back to Hermes. "I doubt I'll be spending any time there."
Hermes shrugged and continued on his way. "Oh well, your loss." He cheerily said.
Bell tilted his head as they continued down a street. Passing over a canal via a bridge which Bell took only a second to look at before turning his gaze back to Hermes. "Do I have to worry about you spilling that secret?"
Hermes waved him off. "Of course not Bell. I keep my lips are tightly sealed."
"When you're not working an angle of course."
"You know me so well."
Bell sighed as the two finished crossing the bridge. Walking for another fifteen minutes until they came upon the Guild. Unlike the other buildings around it which we made from brick. The Guild was made of smooth polished pure white marble, with a domed roof that spanned several stories high and encompassed a few nearby buildings. At the entrance were many marble columns, all an assortment of colors that matched the white.
"And this here is the Guild," Hermes said. "You'll probably be here a lot grabbing quests or whatever else your grubby little palms can grab. Think of them like hunts for certain types of things that are native to the dungeon. If you're lucky you might even get an extermination request for an irregular monster."
"I don't have grubby palms," Bell muttered.
"They will be after all the time you'll be spending in the dungeon. Not a very cleanly place I might add, and with how you are it'll be a wonder if you even see the sun."
Bell rolled his eyes and the two continued past the Guild. Vendors littered the cobble streets, calling out to the two but they were promptly ignored as Hermes drew Bell closer and closer to their final destination.
The Tower of Babel.
This building took away Bell's breath. A giant spiraling tower that stretched high into the sky, going above the clouds and looking as if it reached into the very heavens itself. It gave Bell pause as he stood next to Hermes in the plaza leading to the tower. Knowing that just below it, below that supposed grandeur of the tower before him.
Was the dungeon.
Hermes could already see the shift in Bell before the boy could even take a step forward. His hand shot out and gripped Bell's shoulder in a tight but gentle hold.
"I already know what you're thinking." The god said. "But what I last heard is she is on an expedition with her familia. Far deeper than any floor you can make on your own. I know you're smart enough to heed that warning."
With a sigh, Hermes felt the tension in Bell's shoulder loosen. "I just wanted to brush up on my skills. Been a few days since I fought those Kobolds, and those were a little too easy."
Hermes rolled his eyes at the lie. "Yes, whatever you say, wayward hero. Now come on, time for you to meet your new goddess. Remember our story?"
Bell mimicked Hermes and rolled his eyes. "Yes, let you do all the talking and only speak when I agree with the truthful parts."
Hermes patted his back and turned around. "Good, now come on, let's get going. Oh and Bell, only show off a little."
Bell smiled and followed in step. "You say that as if it wasn't you who turned me into a show-off."
Hermes placed his hand on his chest and shook his head. "And for that, I am ever proud of you. But you can't exactly get your payback if you show all of your hand immediately. I know I taught you better than that." He then shrugged. "Well, when you weren't too busy practicing or hunting or whatever else you did."
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Bell stood outside of the Twilight Manor and tilted his head. It was an odd design choice, at least to him. Instead of expanding the building outward, it had been expanded up. With two identical spires made of gray stone shooting up into the sky. Their dark blue roofs blending nicely with the stone. On the ground was the manor of course along with a small yard. With a wall of red brick and an iron fence leading around the premises funneling to a single gate at the front of the manor.
"Not many guards." Bell pointed out.
"Expedition Bell, means all hands on deck down in the dungeon. Skelton crew." Hermes said as a guard pushed a gate open.
Bell furrowed his brow but followed nonetheless. "But doesn't that leave their goddess wide open to attack? Couldn't a rival faction take her out while they're in the dungeon and all but condemn them to their deaths?"
Hermes laughed as he stepped off the stone pathway and up the stairs. "Your paranoia's showing Bell. Gods are...hmm what's the word...fickle? No that's not it. Vain, no that's not it either. Look what I'm trying to say is you don't need to worry so much about that. No one's going to try anything against Loki herself while she's mostly alone because it will be much more fun to keep her around so she can watch."
Bell furrowed his brow and entered behind Hermes. Not paying attention to the lavish red carpet beneath his feet. Nor the paintings of the familia's heroes, the twin staircases which had a vase resting in between them. Or the expensive-looking chandelier that hung above his head.
"Cruel, the word you're thinking of is cruel," Bell said.
Hermes snapped his fingers. "Ah that's it, was on the tip of my tongue I swear."
"Probably along with a thousand lies to boot," Loki said, leaning on a wall at the top of the stairs. Bell turned his gaze to the woman. She was the same height as him, with fire-kissed red hair and eyes he couldn't see as she kept them closed. She was dressed modestly for the city but bore more skin than Bell normally saw on a woman. With a simple blue and black tank top that covered her flat chest and black jean booty shorts. The goddess had no accessories.
"Ah, Loki." Hermes warmly greeted. "So good to see you again."
Despite her closed eyes Bell could still feel the sharp gaze leveled at Hermes. "What are you doing in my house Hermes?" She calmly, yet very firmly asked.
Hermes didn't seem curbed by her tone at all. "Very simple, I'm here to deposit this wayward child of mine off to you. I think you'll be very interested in-,"
"Not interested." Loki cut him off. Her gaze went from Hermes to Bell who seemed to sulk slightly. "Sorry kid, nothing against you but we're not accepting anyone right now."
Hermes didn't miss a beat. "Oh Loki, won't you give him a chance?"
The goddess quirked a brow. "Why? It would just get the kid's hopes up. Even if he is amazing with that bow of his I already have the best archer in Orario."
Hermes held back a chuckle as he sighed and shook his head. "Well, I was really hoping I wouldn't have to use this card. But you've left me no other choice. Loki, I'm cashing in my favor."
Loki balked at this, nearly tumbling down the stairs in surprise before correcting herself. "Really? You're cashing that in for the kid?" She eyes Bell warily. "What's your play?"
Hermes shrugged. "That's for Bell to tell you about." He then clapped. "Now, I believe a demonstration is in order so you know he isn't totally incompetent. Come Bell, why not show Loki one of your little tricks?"
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The afternoon sun shone brightly in the sky as the three exited into the backyard. Outside was a simple training yard. With an archery range and a space for sparring. Big enough for multiple people but small in its options. Bell gave the yard a slight appraisal before setting his rucksack down.
"Alright, Bell." Hermes began. "You can see the targets, hit one in the bullseye but make it fancy. Really show off a little so Loki knows she's not getting scammed."
Bell nodded and took his bow off his back as Loki leaned against the wall. Her mind raced a mile a minute trying to piece together as to why Hermes would stick his neck out for some kid.
She watched as the boy took a few steps forward and reached into his quiver. His fingers lightly brushed against the arrows until he finally found the one he was looking for. He grabbed it and was quick to notch it. Pulling the drawstring back carefully and lining up his shot.
Hermes elbowed her side. "Watch this."
Loki watched as Bell held the shot. No doubt running through some calculations in his head as a sharp gust of wind blew. Loki knew that would cause him to pause for a second.
"Encore." Bell chanted.
From his lips circles of visible sound infused itself into the arrow before Bell let go and fired. The arrow whistled as it soared through the air and the sound wrapped around it like a cocoon. It hit the target a second later and the energy expelled from the arrow caused the target to explode.
Bell lowered his bow and winced. "Crap, I thought I held back."
To Hermes feigned surprise Loki's eyes actually opened revealing the light red gemstones that they were. A look of absolute shock plaguing her face as Hermes merely laughed.
"Oh wow look at that. I said he would surprise you and I was right. Who would've guessed?"
Loki's eye twitched as she scowled. "Now I know you're playing an angle. Why are you willing to let go of a kid like that?"
Hermes shrugged as Bell approached. "Like I said, you'll have to ask Bell about his story. My lips are sealed."
Loki sighed and shook her head. "Alright come here kid, better take this meeting to my office." She muttered.
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Loki was torn between being elated or baffled at Bell's reason for coming to Orario. Elated that she finally would have a trickster in her familia. Which was odd considering she was a goddess of trickery, after all, you would think she would have a few. But also baffled that he would only be targeting a certain someone. Not that he didn't have a good reason for it after all. It was one hell of a story.
She sighed and finished imprinting her Falna on Bell's back. Hermes had said Bell had been in his familia for three years already. Getting to level two outside of the dungeon and only needing a feat to get to level three. But with his much he was going up to bat for the bit Loki couldn't help but feel there was more to the story than what she was being told. Especially since Bell had mostly stopped talking after telling Loki why he was here.
The story reeked to high hell and Loki had to bite back a groan seeing Bell's stats.
Bell Cranel
Hermes familia- Loki familia
Level two
Strength: B752
Endurance: B721
Dexterity: A879
Agility: B775
Magic: B792
Skills:
Heartstring
Zoom
Sixth sense
Fairy Ring: The thought of a forlong magic he had seen as a boy.
Development Ability:
Mystery: G
Magic:
Encore: Quick chant sound magic
Firebolt: Quick chant fire magic
Silksong: Ever forest hear my prayer. Beseech your gift to those in need and heal them of their woes. Do not let them be taken by the night. Silksong.
"Ok, this has you written all over it." Loki groaned. "Kid, what did he do to you?"
"Paid me for a service?" Bell said confused.
"Word that better." Hermes lightly chided.
"Oh." Bell lightly blushed. "I did a few jobs for him and he rewarded my efforts."
"And what did these jobs entail for him to give you grimoires? Because I know for a fact a human as young as you shouldn't have all his magic slots filled out this early into his adventuring career."
Hermes nervously chuckled at that and scratched his cheek. "Oh Loki, I wasn't aware my business dealings were that important to you."
"They are if you're pawning off one of your own brats onto me!" She shouted closing her fist and turning on him.
"It was just some scouting." Bell quickly answered turning to face Loki. Her eyes drifted down to the scar on his arm for half a second before she looked away. A wolf bite by the looks of it.
"Scouting earned you grimoires?" Loki asked, her brow quirked and face scrunched up.
Bell shrugged. "Well, I was away from home for months. I mostly looked for monster nests and either eradicated them or sent for help. But sometimes I was tasked with finding a bandit camp and those took quite a lot of time."
"So you were paid in your scouting with grimoires?" Loki asked again disbelievingly. "Must be one hell of a scout."
Bell shrugged. "I do my best."
Loki shook her head. If she didn't owe Hermes a favor there was a very good chance she'd show Bell the door. His entire persona, the image crafted for him was suspicious and seemed to be filled with holes. Yet she had not sensed a lie from him. He also possessed the Mystery Development Ability.
One so rare that not even five people had it Orario. The only one she could name off the top of her head was Hermes's captain. This also raised another question of why Hermes was so willing to part with Bell. Knowing Hermes he would most definitely want to keep Bell and have a monopoly on the magic items that could be made.
Yet he was giving Bell to her. Even cashing in one of the favors she owed him to guarantee she would. Bell seemed too much like a fake golden goose. But Loki's hands were tied and there was nothing she could do about it.
No matter how suspicious it seemed.
"Well he's transferred, you can leave," Loki suggested but Hermes knew it wasn't a suggestion.
"Hmm, seems I've overstayed my welcome." Hermes bowed and tipped his hat. "Then I bid you adieu, good luck Bell. Try not to cause too much trouble."
Hermes straightened his back and left Loki's office. The goddess sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. Sitting back on her desk and Bell put his shirt and leather armor back on.
"So, what do I do now?" Bell asked.
Loki shrugged. "I don't know, want a tour or are you gonna scout out my house?"
A strained look morphed Bell's face as he nodded. "I think I'll just take the tour."
Loki groaned and leaned her head back. "Fine...guess I can show you around."
Loki hopped off her desk and shook her head. Gesturing for Bell to follow her out of her nice lavish office.
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"Over there we have the women's tower." Loki lazily motioned. "Across from that over there is the guy's tower where you'll be staying. Quick word of warning there's no space so until I get a bunk bed or something you'll have to sleep on a couch in the common room."
Bell nodded and Loki descended down the stairs and into the foyer where Bell and Hermes had entered earlier. The grandeur of it causing whiplash.
"Off to the right is the cafeteria. It's where you'll eat breakfast with the rest of the familia since I like to have nice big familia breakfast and dinner." Loki then lazily gestured to the right. "Off this way is another staircase which leads to the common room and library. You'll most likely won't spend a lot of time in the library but it's there."
Bell furrowed his brow and tilted his head. "But I like reading."
Loki sighed. "Because of course, you can read." She muttered. "Because of course, the kid who grew up in the boonies with full magic slots and mystery can read. Come on Loki you're smarter than that."
Bell nervously looked around not feeling welcomed. Which in a sense he wasn't since Hermes dumped him on Loki's doorstep. The goddess shook her head and walked forward. Going up a spiral staircase littered with magic stones that provided light.
The two came upon a massive common room. Littered with billiards tables, many plush red couches, and other rounder tables for things like card games or board games. The carpet was green and the room was illuminated by vast window panes along with magic stones.
"This is where you'll be sleeping. Don't worry the couches are comfortable so it shouldn't be too bad. Plus you're pretty short so you shouldn't be too big for the couch. Go ahead and set your stuff down over there."
Loki pointed to a corner and Bell walked over. Setting down his rucksack and weapons, along with his leather armor leaving him with just the clothes on his back. His gaze lingered for a moment on his bow before he tore his gaze away and focused it back on Loki.
The goddess noted this in the back of her mind before gesturing for Bell to follow her. "Come on, got one more thing to show you."
Bell followed her down the stairs past the foyer and down into the library. Bell's eyes widened seeing the vast rows of books upon books. Hundreds if not thousands of tomes of knowledge. He couldn't stop the smile from spreading to his face.
"Yeah, so go crazy or whatever. Just don't break any of the books, and if you ever want to join a magic class Riveria holds them in the classroom above the common room."
Bell furrowed his brow. "You have a classroom?"
"Not everyone is literate Bell. Nor are they as well educated as you apparently seem to be." She then sighed and pinched her nose. "But I guess an education is a perk afforded to you by being one of Hermes brats."
Bell didn't have a chance to ask any more questions as Loki turned and ascended back up the stairs. He followed, not sure on what to do. Loki didn't seem to mind, or she did and Bell couldn't tell. But if she did she wasn't saying anything or showing any outward signs of annoyance.
When they reached the foyer the front door swung open and a bubbly amazon jumped through the door.
"WE'RE BACK!!" She cheered, throwing her arm to the sky.
Loki smiled seeing her familia walk inside. All tired, exhausted, smelling like sweat and the dungeon's muck and grime. But they were alive, and that was all Loki cared about.
She looked back at Bell who stood a step behind her. "Well lucky you, you get to meet everyone."
She looked back at her familia, watching as they funneled in one by one. Prum, human, elf, and others. Her children were back and it was a lovely sight to see.
An elf, with golden honey-colored hair and hazel eyes. She stepped into the Twilight Manor with her shoulders sagging. Her honey-colored hair was frizzled and messy, and all she wanted to do was take a shower.
Alicia looked up and her breath caught in her throat. Standing just a step behind her goddess was a ghost. She was transported back to being seventeen, to that day in the woods.
When the wolf jumped out from behind that bush and bit down on Bell's arm. She was scared, but she took an arrow out of her quiver and fired. Only for her shaky hands to cause her to miss and only graze its leg. The wolf stopped its attack and turned to face Alicia. Bell's whimpers reach her ears as thick red blood ran down his arm.
The wolf growled at her, telling her to stay away. Alicia ran, and she didn't look back as another scream tore through the air. She couldn't bear to watch.
"Hey, Alicia," Bell called out bringing her back to reality. Her eyes immediately flicked to his arm, but saw only sleeve, no scar. "Been a while."