Iron Stomachs (Chim, Raining)

[Kiran]

Jafask was bounding for the Stands in the aftermath off the hatching. Jafari's stomach fell. What now? Was the iron going to eat Mouse or something?! He didn't know, but he had to follow and either protect them or something because he wasn't going to let Jafask run rampant! The iron's soft cackle ran through his head at that thought. Maybe he wouldn't be able to stop the wheret if it came to that... It was a worry that made the new wherling shiver with fear. This one liked chaos, and if ever there was something that Jafari didn't like...

At least part of his fear was assuaged when he saw Genner hauling the young girl out and away from the impending meeting. Mouse could meet Jafask later, when he had better control and rapport with his wher. But Jafask didn't seem interested in the small girl, no, he seemed far more fascinated with Jafari's two friends. Well, one. Lirmox had left with Genner and Mouse, and their whers were also gone. So now it was just Saowyn standing there, waiting for him.

Jafask made for her. Jafari's stomach fell again. What was the iron going to do now?! The wherlet sat on his haunches near Saowyn, staring. Just staring. He couldn't see into minds like he had before he had Impressed, so he was going to wait and see how she reacted to him. That would tell the wher everything. His presence alone had to be enough to stir up feelings and emotions in her. After all, eviscerating a Rider and causing other chaos was certainly one way to bring out reactions in people.

It most certainly had in Jafari.

His Handler grabbing a bucket of fish to feed him - which he would certainly accept, the iron was a touch hungry by now - he rushed into the stands after his bonded. Yes, this would most certainly be interesting...

[Raining]

The hatching... she could see the end. There won't be anymore screaming dragons... she could find Jafari and then, never let go of him. Someone had died. Dalibor let someone DIE, a candidate! Since she never was a candidate... she never could have prepared herself for what she saw here. Here she thought Ausk's hatching was horrible... but here she feared for Jafari's life.

Okay the brown... impressed to someone in the stands... and that iron monster was already im-- what. Her eyes had widened as she saw Jafari cut open his hand for the iron wher. Her heart hammered in his chest. She honestly didn't know what to think, but she desperately smothered any sudden fear so Saosk won't come back for her. He needed to be with Gennesk and Mouse, this was his chance to make amends with the pride second.

The girl paced around in the stands, she wasn't sure if she should meet with Jafari, or wait until later. She was sure he had things to do now that he impressed... even if it was to that... thing. There was nothing she could do but be happy he impressed to a king color. She was happy! She really was, but that wher caused so much chaos....

Footfalls drew her attention away from the bloody sands and her light green eyes fell on Jafari. She looked frozen for a moment her eyes landing on the iron wher that now stood close to her. He was just a wher, just like Saosk, Lisk and Gennesk... but he had a handler now and Jafari was strong, she knew he was. He had to be if this iron chose him to be his handler.

She acknowledged the iron, with wary... yet curious eyes. But then her body was suddenly moving on its own as she walked towards Jafari, rushing the last few feet as she threw her arms around him, burying her face in his shoulder. "Shards, Jafari! I was so... " she faltered pushing away tears of relief that threatened to spill. "I'm so happy you're okay." she pulled back a bit and smiled widely or tried to... she wasn't sure if her eyes were still wet (she hoped not), "a wherling now, of an Iron!" Thank Faranth her voice didn't shake.

[Kiran]

Jafari was just so happy and relieved that Saowyn wasn't afraid to look at him, to come near him... To hug him. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, burying his head into her shoulder and taking comfort in his friend's arms. He was surprised to discover that he was now a few inches taller than she was, enough so that she could bury her head in his shoulder. But then again, perhaps it shouldn't have been. His voice had finally settled into a rich timbre that he wasn't embarrassed of.

When she pulled back he could see a suspicious shine to her eyes. Jafari reach edge a hand to brush back some of her hair as she spoke. "Yeah, I guess I got lucky, didn't I?" A small smile flickered on his lips. "Thought for the longest time I wouldn't Impress. Thought he was... You know. But I did it." He pulled her back into a hug, just wanting to hold her close. "I'm okay. It was scary there for a while. I'm so sorry that you had to see any of it. I didn't... I guess it was too much for everyone else and I don't blame them. But I'm so glad that you are safe. With all the stuff happening in the Stands...." He took a deep, shuddering breath, then pulled back.

A glance at his wher made him realize that the iron was taking all of this in with an interested look in his eyes. Jafari could feel the stirrings of plots and chaos in the iron's head. "Saowyn, this is Jafask, Jafask, this is Saowyn. She is one of my dearest friends." More than that, if he were honest about his feelings, but with a new wherlet attached there was no place for that. When they graduated....

Jafask pleased to meet Saowyn. Where black wher? Jafask wish to meet. He stood up to move closer, seeing that there wasn't an opportunity to make chaos quite yet. But there would come to be a time where he could get to the girl that his handler was so fond of. In the meanwhile he would stick to an easier target.

Jafari shifted uncomfortably. "I suppose we should go out. I don't feel like sticking around here, where the others are. The ones he... The ones he hurt. I just... Yeah. Besides, I suppose I need to show him off to Lirmox, right? I think I might make him green with envy." It was a bad joke, but it was one thing that brought a twinkle back to his eye for a brief moment. Things would get better from here on in. They had to. He had his wher. He had Saowyn (even if he couldn't have Saowyn). And he had a turn and a half of wherlinghood to get through. It would be an adventure.

[Raining]

Their embrace was something she needed, it was solid and something she felt she could trust. It had her stomach whirling with butterflies, though these feelings were very new to her... she has felt a ghost of them before with him. Right now though, now that he was here safe in her arms those feelings were enough to stagger her and leave her breathless. But she knew the rules as well as any wherling, though what she was feeling was so right... she couldn't act on them. But there was nothing wrong with this right now, her friend was safe, he was not lying dead or broken on the sands.

Her bright smile shifted into something akin to shyness as he brushed away some of he hair. As soon as she realized it she covered it up with a thoughtful look as Jafari began to speak. She was happy to see his smile, the hatching didn't break him... thank Faranth.

She didn't fight the second hug, because she wanted the same thing. "Its okay... it'll be okay. I needed to be there for you, what sort of friend would I be if I wasn't?" she tried for a slight teasing tone to lighten the mood. "But you impressed, and i'm so proud of you." not that impressing was the only important thing in the world... but he wanted it and she supported him. His shuddering breath was mirrored with one of her own. Ablath... she hoped her rider was okay...

As Jafari pulled away she remembered they had a spectator. Saowyn could almost feel his gaze on her. A slight amount of fear crept up her throat, but she swallowed it down. Even with his voice in her head, she managed a polite smile of greeting as they were introduced. "Pleased to meet you as well Jafask," she greeted politely, "Saosk is escorting a friend back, but i'm sure you'll meet him later." This was for Jafari, playing nice with his wher was the only way to be sure everything would be okay... for now. It will be an entirely different story when a certain black wher enters the picture. For now Saosk was happily distracted trying to prove to Gennesk that he was trustworthy, because he also considered Mouse as his.

Her eyes slid back to Jafari, and she was happy she mentioned that they could leave. The smell... was starting to get to her and some fresh air would so her good. "Lirmox can't be too far ahead, i'm sure he'll want to see that you're safe... and impressed," she wondered what Lirmox would think of Jafari handling an iron. "You'll be able to visit the others later once they're taken care of..." Once they're safe in the infirmary or at least settled. Seeing the iron so soon after everything would probably be a bad idea.

Fingers would tug on his robe gently and began to lead them out, "lets get out of here." Away from the smell of the blood on the sands, away from this.

[Kiran]

Jafari couldn't even begin to say what it meant to him when she said she was proud of him for Impressing. It warmed his heart, made his insides feel all gooey... A normal reaction for him when it came to her, these days. He wanted to protest that she could most certainly of course have not stayed for the hatching - for any of them, if he were going to be truthful - but honestly, knowing she was there watching had been one of the things that had kept him going. Saowyn had been his strength when things had been the most terrifying.

Not that things still weren't, in their own ways.

Jafask tilted his head at Saowyn. Good to hear. Jafasks' friends my friends. The wher was downright friendly with Saowyn, coming over to wend his way around her legs. Friends, huh? The wher almost chortled. Oh, yes, they would be friends. Spitting the bucket of food his handler had grabbed, he came forward expectantly, thinking to gorge himself now that the major event was overl Jafari swung it out of reach for the moment, though.

"Yeah. Let's go. It's stifling in here." The blood on the sands, the moans and cries of injured candidates and wherlings and Weyrlings and riders was just all too much for him as well. He grasped her hand and started for the outside, Jafask dipping his head into the bucket as they walked, eating as messily as he could. Jafari felt the pangs of hunger that had begun to plague him ease. It perhaps wasn't the right thing to do with a new wherlet, but Jafari wasn't sure how to handle his newest Bonded. It was... Terrifying in a way.

The cool night air was a relief on his skin. Jafari hadn't realized it but he had sweat a bit from the events of the evening, either sheer nervousness or a hint of fear or a bit of both mixed with the sheer heat of the sands. But his robes weren't soaking, so he wasn't at risk of illness. Thank goodness. His eyes glanced downwards at the now-empty bucket and the wher walking docilely beside him. Honestly, the calmness of the wher after the hatching unnerved him far more than anything else it could have done. And the wher seemed to know that, only calming even further into what seemed to be a well-behaved, playful being.

Jafari kept his hand wrapped up in Saowyn's, catching sight of Lirmox. "Ya know, can't wait to see Saosk's reaction. He once told me that he didn't think I'd get a ranker. Guess I've got something to really show off to him now, huh?" His grin was weak but there. If he had an option it might have been nicer to get a sweet, loving black or something, not the sheer terror that seemed to have befallen him. But he got what he got, there was no taking it back.

[Chimera]

It was over.

Lirmox could tell by the droves of people leaving, a tear-filled mass of bystanders flooding the mouth of the cavern. Another crowd branched off into a different path � it was full of colors, colorful hatchlings still wet with egg-goo. A lot were heading to the infirmary.

He only got glances at this scene as he headed away with Genner, Gennesk, Saosk, Lisk, and Mouse. He had decided to leave with his green wheret � the reason being mainly to make sure she didn't harm anyone while keeping Mouse safe. But it wasn't just that. A girl had died. Not been severely injured. She died. Lirmox used to be one of the lowest-ranking people on Pern. He used to live with his criminal father and rowdy family, not under the protection of anyone but themselves. And indeed, he still felt like he was holdless. And his father, his father would always tell him people died. It was part of life. Their life.

It didn't change the fact that what he had seen on these sands was gruesome, and even Jafari was someone he cared about, if a �frenemy�. He feared he'd see Jafari's lifeless body too, or even Saowyn's, Mouse's...when the mauling of the spectators started. Luckily it didn't happen.

Bad babies! Too loud bloody. No good. Why so loud, hurt Lisk...Lisk...Lisk hear-knob. The green wheret remarked as she trotted alongside her charge.

They're called ears.

Hear-knob make sense. Ear no. What ear. Make Lisk angry stupid word.

Hear-knobs, then. Lirmox stifled a sigh at his wher.

At last they got a sufficient distance from the hatching, and all was good. Even Saosk and Lisk were getting along with Mouse between them. Mouse � mediating seemed to run in the family, but unlike her cousin the girl tended to succeed. But...what had happened nearby? The green followed Lirmox a bit back, going back to Saowyn, Jafari, and...an iron? The iron who Lisk considered a bad baby? And more importantly, hadn't he bonded already to that other boy? Not...Jafari?

Well, apparently he had chosen Jafari. Great. It was better than Jafari getting seriously hurt, but...Lirmox didn't even care he was an iron, just the fact that Jafari had gotten a wher put him on edge � would his wher try to attack Lirmox now? Jafari wouldn't dare. And just the fact Jafari was probably going to lord over him because of that even more � a king wher!

And as he went along that train of thought, Lirmox came to the disgusting conclusion that Jafarisk, whatever he was called, and Saosk could possibly chase Lisk when they grew up.

Also, the iron scared the living hell out of him.

"Uh..." Lirmox and Lisk walked up to the two other wherlings.

"...Congratulations." Lirmox tried to twist his face into a smile, one Jafari would probably mock in his head � oh, look at how jealous Lirmox is! It sickened him, and reminded him of his father, always saying the bullies got greens and the good ones got kings, or subkings. Though that had been partially because of the man's childhood love, Lirmox didn't know that his father's attitude on greens stemmed from that experience.

What. You look dumb, chose dumb boy. If you still be bad baby, hurt MouseTiny...WATCH OUT! Lisk snarled, trying to intimidate the iron wheret. She leaped in front of him, nearly pressing her muzzle into Jafask's before Lirmox tugged her away, reassuring her mentally everything was going to be

Going to be fine, please don't start another fight even though I hate Jafari!

"Lisk doesn't mean it, Jafari." Lirmox didn't mention Jafari owed him a congratulations for Impressing Lisk, or that Lisk did, in fact, mean it. Lisk went back to the shadows, peeking out from behind Lirmox's leg.

"So what's his name?"

He didn't say anything after that, waiting in awkward silence for a response.

[Raining]

Jafask's reaction was not expected, his cool voice in her head and how he wound around her legs. She didn't move, and she forced herself to remain calm... and practicing any and all blocks. She wanted to bring Saosk into this slowly, like introducing to friends or two pets. If she was panicked or... nervous in any manner Saosk will come here all up in arms. That would not be good. The girl quirked a smile at Jafari, see she's fine. Though the iron wher touching her made her skin crawl, but she figured it was because of what she saw him do. Give it time and she won't be forcing smiles to keep herself looking okay.

Jafari grasped her hand to her surprise, causing a flutter of wings in her chest, and the return of that shy smile. Though it was a smile nonetheless.

The cool air was definitely a relief, she didn't feel like gagging every time she took a breath, and deep breaths she took. She did her best to not glance at the iron every second and instead focus on the feel of Jafari's hand in hers. Just as she was his strength, he was also hers. His hand was real and it grounded her, keeping her mind away from what happened in there. The dragon's voice threatened to echo through her mind again and again. Jafari... and even Jafask was a most welcome distraction.

She spotted Lirmox and Lisk up ahead and her heart almost jumped to her throat. But he wasn't rushing or anything, and Saosk was still fairly calm... but for now she left the bond alone. Saowyn giggled, "he'll be surprised that's for sure. If things are okay with Mouse i'll tell him to come back... but Lisk..." her voice trailed off as she smiled brightly at Lirmox.

"Hi Lirmox, Lisk!" she greeted as warmly as she could, choosing to not question his awkward greeting.

Though Lisk seemed less than pleased, which confirmed she needed to wait to bring Saosk along. She will have to soon because he was probably going to check up on her...? Saowyn stood her ground even as Lisk rushed Jafask. Shards, that wher.... she hoped the iron was still in a good mood.

Her eyes slipped between Lirmox and Jafari, the former was acting strange... he's usually really open?

[Kiran]

Jafari's grip on Saowyn's hand tightened imperceptibly at. Lirmox's cool greeting. That was okay, they weren't friends, exactly, but the greeting was off putting even for that. Jafari lifted his chin proudly, glaring at his competiton. "His name is Jafask. He didn't Impress to that other boy. It was a farce. The king chose me instead." And he had the cut across his palm to prove it. It was no longer oozing blood, but Jafari hadn't bothered to bandage it. He wanted everyone to see it. It was proof he had a wher. It was proof he had gotten one despite waiting so long, despite Lirmox having impressed first. He was worth one. And he had been worth a king.

Jafask was amused by Lisk's reaction to him. Jafask no interested in Mouse. Mouse too small. Chose Jafarisk's after all. Jafask only choose the best. He slunk over to the green, curling himself around her in an oddly snake-like manner. It left little to the imagination when he said it. Jafask knew how much it would bother Jafari, and from the green's hostility, might unnerve her as well. Inwardly he chuckled, amused at the idea of getting both for one interaction.

Jafari caught his Bonded's and shuddered - surely his iron wouldn't dare chase the green when it was time, would he?! But who knew, with the iron? At least when she ran his own would likely be old enough to chase... And perhaps he would be able to sneak into Saowyn's bed for it. But he also couldn't repeal his iron's words, since it implied that Jafari had most certainly been better than Lirmox. And had been the best candidate. "It's okay, I understand about Lisk. Besides... Congrats. She is... Quite something." Jafari stumbled awkwardly through the belated congratulations. "Didn't get a chance to say so before. It was pretty hecktic at that hatching."

Not that he had wanted to say anything at that hatching. He had been so sharding jealous of his rival! Still was, to be honest, that his had found him first, but that sting was eased now.

[Chimera]

"A farce?" Lirmox widened his eyes as the rest of his face remained emotionless. "Haven't...seen that happen before. Though, that kid didn't blood bond to him - Jafask - and of course I see you did." He eyed his rival's palm. It could very well get infected, but hey - Lirmox wasn't about to tell Jafari that. Not like the boy would listen anyways.

That riight. Mouse BETTER BE TOO SMALL. Or Lisk KILL JAFASK UNTIL DEAD. Okay?! Lisk puffed up with pride at what she thought had been scaring Jafask into submission. She continued to be this way until the younger but larger iron curled around her.

What. What you doing?! The pale green facehugger of a wheret hissed at Jafask, but the unpleasant sound came to a halt when Lisk realized something...something great. YES GOOD! Be metal-wher, metal for Lisk-shield. Ha-ha. Lisk safe, thank. She puffed up with pride - for a few seconds. NO! Never-mind! Lisk strong, no need stupid iron shieldwher. BYE. She clacked her teeth at Jafask as she leaped over him, and bounded back to Mouse to continue guarding her. Luckily she was close enough so that Lirmox could see her if she misbehaved again.

"Yeah...quite something." Lirmox said somewhat proudly. Lisk was more than the nasty little thing she'd been when she'd hatched. The wherling tried to force a laugh and go back to his usual self - and he did, or at least appeared to. He couldn't at the moment, not when he'd seen death. "Glad you're alright, more or less." He smiled, and gave Jafari a weak pat on the back.

"Welcome to the world of having a dangerous wher...or really, another loyal subject of Whergirl Mouse." Lirmox laughed, but this time more genuinely. Even Lisk's good side, small as it was, was brought out around the girl. "We'll see if Genner and Gennesk will allow it, and if Jafask continues being in his good mood...speaking of, it's nice to meet you directly, Jafask." Lirmox waved down to the baby iron.

[Raining]

She honestly had no idea what was going on between these two. It seemed every time one or the other was mentioned... they'd act all strange. They lived in the same are for Faranth's sake, as holdless. One of the biggest indicators was how Jafari's hand tightened around hers. Boys,.

Though the wherling stayed quite watching their interaction with wariness as well as mild amusement... or bewilderment she wasn't sure which yet. They were strained at the start... but soon things eased. Lisk, clearly offended by something Jafask had said had bounded away back to Mouse and the others. This may be the only time she has right now to introduce Saosk and Jafask.

Did you want to meet Jafask?
JAFASK? WORTHY NO-WORTH HUMAN IMPRESSED?
If you promise to... not lose that wonderful temper of yours you can come over... if Gennesk permits.
DIMGLOW, SAOSK ALWAYS BEHAVE.

The black wher passed Lisk on the way over -- pointedly ignoring her though he definitely wanted to get a few insults in. His curiosity to see what Jafari had impressed to sort of outshone his want to just squish the green. His eyes were a cautious orange, he strode up to Saowyn's side, eyes locking with the small iron. IRON?! he exclaimed to both Saowyn and Jafari. Saowyn giggled at his reaction, because she knew Saosk remembered telling Jafari that he was no good for a high color... well a gold... but same thing. He will never admit he was wrong however, much too proud.

"Well...?" she prodded Saosk outloud. He shot her a dirty look, before looking to Jafari. He was secretly proud of his lil minion... BUT again he didn't like to admit it. SAOSK... THINK JAFARI NOT SO WORTHLESS NOW. SO SH-- SO HAPPY FOR JAFARI. he snipped at Jafari. Deep down, he sort of meant it.

Saowyn didn't bother hiding an amused smile, nudging Jafari.

"Lirmox, Lisk seems to be better. I think you're doing great by the way. She's much more.... pleasant than when we first met." she smiled warmly at the boy. It was all true too. She was still a lil hellraiser but not nearly so bad.

[Kiran]

Jafari relaxed as Lisk decided not to partake in Jafask's little mind games, though who knew what his iron would come up with next? As his new wher returned to his side, Jafari coding help but sigh. "Yeah, I think that we are going to stay away from Mouse for a bit. I don't think-" He was interrupted by Jafask addressing Lirmox. The wher had been paying attention to the whole exchange, had culled the gist of their tension from Jafari's mind.

Used it to do what he did best.

As say to green, Jafask only choose best. Lisk's .... not best. Let him take that as he would.

Jafari paled and opened his mouth to say something - shard it, WHAT he didn't know - but was interrupted by the approach and startled exclamation from Saosk. He gave up and sent a weak grin towards the black he adored. After all, Jafari still remembered how he hadn't thought he was worth much. Probably had thought he wasn't even worth a black. And now.... Now he had his own little hell-raiser. "Thanks, Saosk. I'm really glad you're glad." He reached down to give him a well-deserved scratch, avoiding the sharp spikes.

The black wasn't above notice of Jafask, though. With his retreat towards Jafari's side, he was at a prime spot to sit as regally as he could. He had caught the minor insult towards His, the bit where Saosk had said he thought Jafari was worthless. Revenge stirred in his mind.

Jafask's not worthless. Worth Iron. Far more worth than black. But perhaps so small unable to see big worth of Jafask's? Perhaps too loud, thinking only of self and Saosk's, unable to hear worth of Jafask's. The words were filled with disdain and disapproval, though inside he was filled with laughter at the poor black. Oh, this was absolutely wonderful - his Handler, fond of the black's handler! What a turbulent couple they would make!

Jafari went even paler. "Saowyn, Lirmox, I'm so sorry, he's just.... Just..." His eyes went to Saowyn's, pleading for understanding. "You saw what he did on the Sands!" The reason why he couldn't let Mouse near Jafask. He prayed to Faranth that his friends wouldn't abandon him because of his wher. Jafask was dangerous in his own right.

[Chimera]

Even if it meant having to split his attention into two places, Lirmox was still rather relieved Lisk went to guard Mouse. She and Saosk were a conflicting pair, but three was definitely a crowd if Jafask got involved. He did admit his pale green wher was scary - not a surprise with Ausk being her dam - but the iron was evil. Not even volcano-like Rask, or that slinky black Dardrask, were on the same level as him.

But he had to be strong and not succumb to his mind games, else Lisk would follow and the poor green wouldn't be able to handle the emotions, tough as she was in most regards.

Lirmox smiled some at Saowyn's comment.

"Thanks. We've been training hard and it's paid off. Same to you and Saosk, actually." It was interesting, looking back at the memories of that influential raiding trip, and how their lives veered off course - except that there was no real course to begin with.

Though he could deal with Jafari and Jafask, the conflict between Lisk and Saosk was really getting to be a pain. Neither of his two friends' whers really liked Lirmox and Lisk, and he didn't want to admit it but it made him feel sad. And all sorts of subtypes of that - envy that Saosk and Jafask got along, and their respective handlers, guilt that he even aimed a punch at Jafari though it didn't hit, etcetera.

"I know, Jafask, yeah..." Lirmox managed a chuckle. "...Lisk probably deserves better than me."

He watched the exchange between Jafari and Saosk blankly, and turned his mind to Lisk, trying to see through the wher's keen eyes like they were practicing in lessons, and keeping a mental reign on her. She was the one who needed mediating the most, but when both did concentrate and they worked as a pair, Lisk was not that bad at all.

"Uh, you'll get better at handling..." Lirmox sighed. "I guess it means Mousey can't see Jafask for now." Not like he regretted that. "Don't worry about it, it's not your fault." He had to cut the other kid some slack. Jafari was younger, and pretty dang naive still. Not like his greenhandling rival was much better, but...

As the wherling mulled Jafask's stinging words over, Lisk picked it up.

What you say. WHAT JAFASK SAY. ...And that was the disadvantage of a bond.

She bounded back, and faced Jafask once more.

Rank nothing when Jafask dead. Lisk kill. EAT OR EATEN. You, JAFARI. Lisk's too. If still fight like dumb wherries, Lisk tell Saowyn, both males want Chase but humans no Chase. This was directed at Jafari, too, and it was some miracle she did not accidentally open her mental voice to Saowyn and Saosk too.

What did I tell you, you can't do -

Lisk was running away, and he could see her in the distance. She was fast.

He raised a palm and masked his face in pure exasperated teenager hand.

"I'm sorry for that too...Look, I - I don't know what to say. Ask the Alpha and Beta-handlers, wherlingmaster, they'd know what to do, with whers like - ours."

At this point, his black firelizard was hovering above the group, and chirruped at all of them.

"Ek. Ek ecckkkk." Midnight croaked at them, huffing a miniscule breath at Jafask. He did not like Jafask, not at all.