Tales of Cadence

[Sediea]

Oh no...Stephen spawned. The world is doomed. Doomed I say. :,)

She is cute though. <3 What's her name?
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[Roadie]

Thanks, I'm glad you guys enjoyed it.

Sediea: Her name is Dahlia. Yoru's design for her is really cute. <3

I'm partway done with the questionnaire so that'll definitely be out this coming week. Until then, enjoy the terrible foreshadowing in this skit.


Skit: That Sounds Familiar…!

Will: You’re not from Libra, right?

Raven: No. We already clarified that.

Will: I know. But your clothing style is very different… It’s definitely not Austrorian, so I doubt you’re from that country.

Raven: Why do you care?

Will: Never mind, I’ll let it go. I’ve lived here in Clayridge all my life so I can’t say I’m really familiar with the other nations. I’m a merchant – I work for a man named Thomas Baker. Heard of him?

Raven: Oh… (The name sounds really familiar, but I can’t figure out where I’ve heard it before…)

Will: Raven?

Raven: No. (Was it Stephen who mentioned it? He’s originally from this area, isn’t he? He never said anything interesting so I never paid much attention to him…)

Will: Yeah, I guess he’s not all that famous outside of Clayridge.

Raven: (Damn, this is really going to bug me…)

Will: Spacey kid…probably best to let things go for now.
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[Gamestop]

How sexy. Would you like me to record for this skit?
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by Sir Shrek

sexy avy by Pictomaster Murasaki.

[Zandra]

[Aelph]

I failed, Roadie.

I tried so hard to catch up before this point (before page 100), but traveling and NaNo stole my time.

I'm still working on it, though... still working on it.

[Roadie]

YZorker: Thanks so much. I PMed the script to Flamzeron as well, so hopefully I can make this into an audio skit whenever both sets of lines are turned in.

Aelph: I know you're really busy with NaNo/travel, so don't worry about it. But thanks for reading, I really appreciate it! <3


All right so I finally got to editing and posting that black magic thing that Master asked about several months ago. :') It's written like an excerpt from an old book (dated about 600+ before this story takes place back when there was the obligatory humans vs elves vs half-elves stuff) so...yeah. Enjoy.

I only wrote up articles for seals that are being used in the story.


The Art of Black Magic
An excerpt from the Austrorian Tome of Mages, dated 1019 (Pre-Austrorian Civil War)

Over the years, black magic – a phenomena recognized by our world as the mist that is emitted from the fissures leading to the center of the earth’s core – has been found to have many different properties and uses, both beneficial and detrimental. The use and manipulation was once used wantonly by the people of both Austror and Libra but has since been banned by leaders of both nations.

Black magic manipulation has, however, been found to be extremely useful to the prosecuted half-elves in this day and age. Listed herein are several of its primary uses.

Those who dare experiment in these forbidden arts have been warned – these acts are considered highly illegal by both governments and even if an individual is able to get away with them, the consequences are fatal if they fail.

Continue with the utmost caution.


Harnessing the Black Magic

Black magic can be found at the fissures located throughout Austror, Libra, and the unpopulated easternmost isles. Those of human and elven descent have the ability to use black magic, as do their half-elven brethren. However, misuse of black magic is incredibly dangerous – the effects are discussed later in this article.


The Known Seals


The Seal of Suppression

The Seal of Suppression is considered to be the most important seal to the half-elves. One can manipulate the black magic to suppress their elven abilities and genes as well as their skill with magic. However, it is highly recommended that an advanced mage use this seal, especially if it is used on an adolescent or adult; because it is dangerous to suppress elemental magic, a skilled mage must be able to fully stifle the elven blood to prevent magic poisoning or outbursts. If an ill-trained mage performs this seal, the subject will either die or the magic in his body will destroy the seal and hurt the suppressed victim and/or those around him.

Successful Seals of Suppression can last decades before they need to be renewed. The average Seal of Suppression – if performed by a well-trained mage – can easily last up to fifty years. However, although the subject will physically age and appear to be human, mentally they will age the same way a normal half-elf would. Once the seal wears off, their aging will slow once more to a regular half-elven pace.


The Seal of Renewal

The Seal of Renewal is a necromancy-type skill used to bring the dead or dying back to a state of living. This technique is considered by many magicians and mages to be very dangerous and is therefore considered a delicate art.

The one performing the Seal of Renewal must bind the dead or dying’s soul to the body – which must be in an inhabitable and somewhat livable condition – with a material object acting as a catalyst. The soul will remain bound to the body so long as this material item, which can be as trivial as a pendant or bracelet, remains intact. If the object breaks or is separated from the being with the Seal of Renewal, they will die and their body will instantly decompose. A body can only have a soul reattached once, and because of the effects of the black magic, it will stay fresh and unchanged – i.e., their body will not physically mature – until the seal is broken. The affected person does, however, have the ability to mentally mature.


The Locking Seal

The Locking Seal works very much like the Seal of Renewal, but it is more commonly used on inanimate objects and, as its name suggests, locks things into place. A Locking Seal may require more than just one catalyst object; alternatively, living beings can be used as catalysts. However, once the living being dies or if the object is destroyed, the seal breaks as well. A person acting as a catalyst can manually destroy a seal as well.

This seal is used most often for subduing or muffling black magic in one place. Those practicing with the forbidden arts employ this art when keeping small amounts of black magic from being discovered by their superiors.
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[wolfeyes]

Finally caught up after putting this off for....*Looks at chapters since last read* Um....several chapters...

Anyway, really late comments but I felt like leaving them.

1. I really, really, liked the ceremony at the tower. A lot. It's probably my favorite part of the story so far because the tension, action, plot bombs, and WTFness (in the good sense) of seeing all the parties become so fractured and Skylar coming out on top.
2. Evil!Raven. Is it wrong that my first thought when hearing about Evil!Raven was "wow, he's got a cool new outfit"? Poor Raven though....going to be harder for him to say "I'm not the Messenger" if he returns to his regukar, grumpy self.
3. Theory about Skylar being Raven's uncle. Actually, that kinda makes sense. Mostly because it's interesting you dropped the possibility of Raven being a half-blood not long after revealing that Liane had a relationship with a human. I guess it depends on hearing if the king had a brother or something that fell in love with an elf girl or went to an elf colony or has simply "disappeared".
4. Will working for someone named Thomas Baker who is I'm guessing, Dahlia/Ophelia's dad+Will being married now when he was in a love triangle before. I can't wait to see Stephen and Ophelia back in Clayride.

There's probably a lot more things I could say but those are the main points that popped out the most for me at the moment.
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Pathetic attempts at fanfiction

[Gamestop]

[Zandra]

[Kevvie]

Oh god Stephen spawn. World ending.

Ooh, black magic is interesting. I want to see some of this Seal of Renewal. Good job, Roadie~
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[Avatar: Roadrunnuh][Fanbar: squidmaster64]

[Fernard]

I was just slapped across the face with several crackpot theories. All of which shall stay hidden in my head because I'm a jerk.

But I will say that I'mma keeping my eye on that Seal of Renewal thing. <_<;; >_>;;

*ninja vanish*
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Count Sophie von Pamcakes says:

"Nyahahah! Visit Angelglory's YouTube Channel!"

[Desmond the Patient]

[Roadie]

Much thanks for the comments on the black magic stuff. It was actually kind of fun to work on...makes me wish I had more extras to share. :') NaNo's eating up a lot of my time, but I have managed to get some ToC stuff done. I'm not sure when I'll have the next questionnaire up, but the next chapter will definitely be posted on Monday. And there will be many more sidequests to come after the events in Clayridge take place...

I'd post another skit today but you're all probably getting sick of them for now so I'll hold off. :')

wolfeyes: Thank you so much for your long comment. <3 I love reader speculation and feedback.

King Kevvie-sensei: Of course you'd want that one, it means you can keep your old self alive for much longer, my boy.

Nobody: Don't worry, she takes after her wonderfully derranged father.
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[Gamestop]

There is always room for more Roadie skits.
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by Sir Shrek

sexy avy by Pictomaster Murasaki.

[Roadie]

I've finished NaNoWriMo so I can finally get back to work on the questionnaire, etc. I'm in great physical pain at the moment but I need a break from the **** story I had to work on. :')

Here's the next chapter, I hope you guys enjoy. (Next person pages it so lol)



Chapter XLVII

Elsynne was the first one off the boat, breaking into a run almost as soon as her boots touched the water. She sloshed through the cold, low waves, her eyes focused on the shore ahead.

“Hey! Wait up!” Felix called, splashing after her. Elsynne paused and turned, brushing damp hair from her eyes.

“Come on, wait for the others,” he said as he jumped to her side. Stephen, Ophelia, and Arngon followed them at a much slower pace, glancing nervously at the silhouette of the city in the distance. Ilia stood beside the boat, making sure that Harriette was safely halfway down the ladder before she rejoined the others at the shore.

“Clayridge,” Stephen murmured. “I haven’t been back there in over seven years now.”

“Not since the accident,” Ophelia agreed, shaking her head. “I wonder how much it’s changed?”

“Oh, yeah. This is your first time home in a while, isn’t it?” Felix asked.

Stephen laughed bitterly. “I wouldn’t call it ‘home’ anymore.”

“Why not?”

“It’s just…not a home to me anymore.”

Felix frowned, opening his mouth to question them again before Elsynne stopped him with a sharp nudge.

“Sister?” Harriette hopped uneasily into the water, holding her arms above the waves. “I can’t…” She hesitated, clearly embarrassed. “I don’t know where to go…”

Elsynne walked past the others and joined her sister in the shallows, taking her quietly by the arm. Harriette lowered her head to hide her face behind a thin curtain of white-lavender hair.

“Thank you,” she muttered bitterly. “The waves and the current make things…very disorienting.”

“It’s all right. It’s not your fault.”

“If I wasn’t blind…”

Elsynne glanced at Harriette, her gaze softening. She rarely heard her sister mention her blindness; she had always thought that Harriette took a quiet pride in the disability, using it to her advantage whenever it was possible. ‘She even beat Raven without being able to see him properly…’

“I’m sorry,” Harriette said suddenly. “I…I didn’t mean that.”

Elsynne squeezed her hand, leading her out of the ocean and onto the sandy beach. “I already told you, it’s fine. Look, we’re already here.”

Harriette released her hand and moved ahead. “Good. Now, let’s see...what’s the quickest route to the Tower? We have to get there a soon as possible.”

Stephen and Ophelia exchanged a quick glance. “We’ll have to travel through Clayridge if you want to get there fast. The city’s surrounded by a dense forest and the river—they’re difficult to go around,” Ophelia replied. “But-“

“I don’t care how nervous you are about coming back. We don’t have a choice so you’ll have to deal with it,” Harriette interrupted harshly. “Now, let’s get going. Although it would be lovely if Skylar found Raven before us…I don’t think we should count on him for now.”

“But if Skylar finds him first he’ll kill him,” Elsynne pointed out.

“That’ll prevent the ceremony, won’t it?” Harriette said with a devious smirk.

Elsynne was shocked, her eyes widening slowly. “Yes, but…”

“Let’s try to get to Edward before he does. He can’t die,” Ilia said, frowning.

Ophelia waved a hand, motioning for them to follow her. “Come on. I know the quickest road to the city.” She turned and led them up the beach and onto a plain, nondescript path. Elsynne’s eyes followed the windy trail up to the thin forest ahead—they just has to pass through that and they’d be another step closer to finding Raven. But Arngon, who had situated himself comfortably at Ophelia’s side, suddenly froze. He spun around, pushing past the others until he was at the back of the group.

“Hey! What was that for?” Ilia demanded, rubbing her shoulder where he had shoved her.

Elsynne caught movement from the corner of her eye but it disappeared before she could move. A lithe form rushed past her line of vision and materialized at Arngon’s side, bouncing happily.

“Arngon! Ophelia! You both made it!” Cymbeline appeared and pulled her brother into a tight hug. “I’ve been waiting here forever!”

The corner of Harriette’s lip twitched. “Forever…?”

“Well, it sure feels like it!”

Ophelia took a slow, shaky breath. “C-Cymbeline…where did Raven go…?”

Cymbeline danced to the side, putting a thin, scalene finger to her chin. “Let’s see, let’s see…ah, he was the one you asked me to bring here, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.” Ophelia gave an exasperated sigh. “Where did he go, Cymbeline?”

“Oh…oh! I remember, kind of.” Cymbeline clasped her hands behind her back, still smiling. “He ran ahead to that city over there. Uhm, Clayridge, right?”

“How long ago?”

“I’m…not sure.” The dragonling woman wilted. “B-But…he took the clothes!

Ilia made a clicking sound with her tongue. “Clothes? You gave Edward new clothes, Ophelia?”

“It seemed like a good idea for a disguise,” Ophelia spat back, putting a hand to her forehead. “Arngon, Cymbeline, get your cloaks. You’re coming with us to the city.”

“Is that really necessary? We’re already going to stand out. If we have two cloaked dragonlings following us around…”

Ophelia returned Ilia’s protest with the impatient glare that she usually reserved for Stephen. “Trust me, they’ll be very useful if we need to hold Raven down,” she explained. “And if Skylar shows up with some dragonlings of his own, we can-“

“All right, we understand,” Harriette said loudly. “Hurry up!”

Felix slowly blanched. “Ooh, yeah! Every second we waste here gives Raven a better chance of finishing his ceremony!”

Cymbeline shrugged and wrapped a thick cloak over her shoulders, pulling the hood over her head as Arngon did the same with his own disguise. Elsynne shifted nervously glanced back at Stephen, who was staring uneasily at the black shape of the city ahead.

“Are you all right?” she asked him as the others walked ahead of them.

Stephen gave a small nod. “Yes, I’ll be fine. It’s just been a very long time and I didn’t leave here in…the best fashion.”

“You don’t want to run into anyone you know?”

He shook his head. “No, I’d prefer not to. I kind of hope they won’t recognize me, though.” He pulled at his blonde ponytail. “My hair was actually a lot shorter back then.”

Elsynne smiled a bit; she could never imagine Stephen without his signature ponytail. “Really?”

“Yeah. Sometimes it was long enough to put up but most of the time my parents were trying to keep it short.”

“Don’t get your hopes up, Stephen. People will still recognize you…especially old ‘friends’,” Ophelia teased.

He winced. “You don’t have to rub it in.”

“I can name a few people who will identify you right off the bat. You left Clayridge when you were nineteen so you haven’t changed that much.”

“Ah, I’m sure Stephen looks a lot older now than he did back then,” Ilia said mockingly.

Stephen sighed, his shoulders slumping forward. “I’m not that old yet! Twenty-six is young!”

Ophelia rolled her eyes at their exchange, pushing thin strands of brown hair behind her ear. “We have to be careful when we get to the city. We’re going to look strange in such a large…erm, varied group,” she added uneasily.

“Do you still need to disguise yourself here? Or do you really look different enough now that none of your old friends will recognize you?” Felix asked her tentatively.

Ophelia shrugged. “It would probably be wise but I’m not going to waste my time. I’ll just have to hope no one pays attention to either of us while we’re in Clayridge.” She shot a glare in Stephen’s direction. He turned away awkwardly, pretending to adjust the strap on his bag.

Elsynne suppressed a shiver as they ventured deeper into the cool forest; gray clouds had already obscured the sun and the thick canopy of branches made their path even darker. She stepped cautiously over the roots protruding from the damp soil, taking care not to stumble over one of them.

“Oh!” Harriette tripped and fell lightly beside her. Elsynne turned around and saw her half-sister sprawled out on the ground.

“Are you all right?” Elsynne asked, bending down to help her up.

Harriette cringed, her normally calm face twisting into a grim scowl. “I’m fine,” she hissed, pushing herself out of the dirt. “Keep walking! Don’t wait around for me!”

Elsynne glanced at the others and nodded sympathetically. Ophelia smirked and signaled for them to follow. “Come on. Raven’s waiting for us.”

Felix waited beside Elsynne as Harriette touched the raw, skinned palms of her hands. “I already told you…don’t wait for me,” Harriette insisted.

“I’m not leaving until I’m sure you’re all right,” Elsynne replied evenly. “Here, hold on to my arm. I’ll make sure you don’t fall again.”

Harriette reluctantly grabbed on to her sister’s elbow, walking slowly and using the tips of her toes to find the twisting undergrowth.

“It’s not that much farther,” Felix offered in a forced tone.

“I know,” the girl responded resentfully. “I’m blind, not deaf.”

“Why do you always have to be so difficult?”

“I’m not being difficult. You’re just frustrating and childish, as usual.”

“That’s enough!” Elsynne cut in before Felix could retort. “I know the last few days have been really tough, but-“

“You!” She jumped to a stop at Ophelia’s hissed warning. Felix’s hand flew to the rapier at his waist, withdrawing the weapon in one swift movement.

“What is it?” Harriette demanded, her voice dropping to a whisper. “What are they doing?”

Elsynne paused, taking a cautious step down the path; she couldn’t see the others in the darkness, but she heard a deep growl from one of the two dragonlings and Stephen’s muffled swear. She moved forward and saw the dim outlines of Cymbeline and Arngon further ahead on the shadowy road—their bodies were motionless, hands clenched and dangerous teeth bared.

“Something’s wrong,” Elsynne said. Felix moved up the road and disappeared behind the cover of tall pines as he rejoined the others on the bend.

Elsynne let go of Harriette and ran ahead, moving as fast as she dared. Now she could see that the others in the group were stopped in the middle of the road, weapons drawn as they faced a figure in the murky shade of the trees. Elsynne slipped between Cymbeline and Arngon, ignoring Ilia’s hand on her shoulder.

Elsynne’s breath caught in her throat when she recognized the hazy form across from her. “No,” she murmured, stepping back. “No…it’s really you?”

“Yes,” a familiar elf replied, the ghost of a smile pulling at the corners of his lips. “Unfortunately, it’s really me.”

Elsynne felt a strange mixture of joy and fear when she saw Skylar standing across from her, his arms crossed over his chest and his head tilted arrogantly to one side. He was still their enemy, she slowly realized—but he was also, on the other hand, her ally.

“Why are you all the way out here?” she breathed.

“Word travels fast,” Skylar said. “I caught wind of Raven’s little outburst and felt it was my job to come and put out the fire, so to speak.”

“I knew you really left Lavinia,” Ophelia whispered. “But…how?”

“I have ways, just as you do.”

“We’ve come to take care of him ourselves,” Harriette said, pushing past her sister. She narrowed her clouded eyes, her voice raising to a commanding yell. “Step aside, Skylar!”

“Ah, I’m honored that you’re addressing me by first name now,” he said scornfully, “but I’m afraid that I can’t simply stand on the sidelines while you run off to the Tower. Quite frankly, I don’t trust you.”

“And you’re any more honest than we are?”

“Touché. But, regardless, this is something I must take care of myself. I cannot allow Raven to complete the ceremony…if that’s really what he’s up to. I doubt he has any other reason to come to the Tower, do you?”

“Unless his atheism was all an act,” Ophelia began, “then this is the work of the Messenger blood.”

Skylar nodded. “Another reason why I should’ve taken care of this mess eighteen years ago… Damn it, if I had known it would escalate to this…!”

“We still have time to intercept him,” Stephen said. “But we’re wasting our time arguing here!”

Skylar shifted but he didn’t move from his spot in the middle of the road. “You’re heading for the Tower, aren’t you? It would be best if we worked in a group. For now, our motives coincide.”

Ilia grimaced, her hands tightening around her baton. “Ugh, why should we let you join us? You tried to kill us the last time we met!”

“I only fought you in the Sanctuary because you were interfering with Elsynne’s ceremony. I have no reason to oppose you now unless you allow Raven to continue with his.” Skylar’s cool gaze swept over the group, pausing on Ophelia for a fraction of a second longer than the others. “I don’t know what kind of physical or mental state Raven’s in at the moment so I think it would be best if we worked as a group, don’t you agree? Or would you prefer to have me hounding you as well?”

“We don’t want him to complete the ceremony in the Tower, but…” Harriette trailed off, furrowing her brow. “I’m not quite sure how I feel about this.”

“There isn’t any time to think it over now,” Ophelia said with a heavy sigh. “Just let him come with us for now. We can still outnumber Skylar if he tries to get in our way.”

“But last time he nearly slaughtered us!” Ilia said, turning to Elsynne. “I really don’t think-“

Ophelia interrupted her. “Ilia, now’s not the time for squabbles. If this is the only way we can get to Raven without any major conflicts…then so be it. I don’t like the idea of traveling with Skylar either but there’s nothing we can do right now.”

Elsynne glanced at Ophelia from the corner of her eye. “Let him come,” she agreed. “Our priority now should be stopping Raven. We’ve spent way too much time here.”

Skylar shot her a quick smile. “Well said. It would be unwise to stand here much longer. Let’s go.”

Harriette muttered something inaudible under her breath as Skylar turned away. “I don’t like this at all,” she said to her older sister, her eyes dark.

“I don’t feel comfortable with it either,” Elsynne said. “He might still try to kill Raven, won’t he?”

“If Bird gets his way he will. I honestly don’t care what the outcome of the battle is so long as the ceremony’s stopped, but…” The girl stopped for a moment, collecting her thoughts before she continued. “If you want to save him, do your best to subdue him beforehand. That way Skylar will have no reason to stop him by force. He will be safe.”

“I’ll do my best.”

The party fell silent as they traveled through the remainder of the forest. Beyond a break in the thick trees Elsynne could see Clayridge in the distance. She felt a shiver run up her spine; how long would it take them to find a way to the Tower through this unfamiliar city?

‘I suppose we’re lucky that Ophelia and Stephen are here,’ she told herself, holding back a sigh. Ophelia appeared stoic and emotionless but Elsynne could see the faint, uneasy transformation in Stephen’s mood. His hand hovered almost instinctively over the holstered gun at his side, fingers twitching with a subdued anticipation.

Skylar easily broke the tense silence as they walked down the path, leaving the cool, leafy cover of the woods. “I’d ask how things have been since I left but I have a feeling you’ve all been quite occupied since then,” the elf said with a sneer.

“And I suppose you’ve been just as busy?” Harriette challenged.

“Oh, very much so.”

She hesitated, waiting for him to reply, and scowled when he said nothing after a half minute of silence.

“Where have you been for the past month?” Elsynne ventured uncertainly.

“All kinds of places,” Skylar replied cryptically. “Nowhere special.”

“Hiding under rocks in Lavinia,” Ilia hissed under her breath.

Skylar gave her a crooked grin. “Perhaps.”

Stephen suddenly paused at edge of Clayridge, steeling himself with a deep breath. “Come on,” Ophelia murmured, jerking her head in the direction of the city. “We can’t avoid it anymore.”

“I know,” he replied, rolling his shoulders. “It just feels very…strange.”

“You’re supposed to be dead,” Ilia said, pointing toward Ophelia, “and you’re not even allowed back in the city, are you?” she continued, motioning to Stephen.

Ophelia nodded slowly. “Yes. Something like that, I think.”

“Ooh, this will be awkward if we run into someone you know. But oh so interesting at the same time…”

“Hopefully that won’t be the case. We’re not here for sightseeing,” Skylar said. “We don’t have time for games anymore.”

“I’m not saying that! I’m just-“

Skylar held up a hand and Ilia fell silent. “We’ll go through the city quickly and quietly. Don’t draw attention to yourselves or you’ll have me to answer to when this is finished. Do you understand?”

Ilia muttered an oath under her breath but Elsynne returned his words with a brisk nod. Skylar grinned and inclined his head, turning back to the road before them.

“Don’t fall into his traps,” Ilia whispered, shooting a glare in Elsynne’s direction.

“I’m not falling into a trap,” she protested. “I just want to get this over with before anything bad happens.”

“Before this entire continent’s destroyed,” Harriette added in undertone.

Felix looked at them uneasily. “Do you think Skylar would really kill Raven?”

“He will,” Harriette answered, ignoring Ilia’s protest.

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Raven moved quickly through the Tower, looking over his shoulder as he navigated through the twisting, misty corridors. He had been unable to reseal the door at the front entrance and now it was still left wide open; he had to keep his senses sharp, waiting for the sounds of voices and footsteps or the telltale undercurrents of magic that Ilia controlled.

He climbed each step deliberately, his pace slowed now that he was where he wanted to be. Even if they found him Elsynne would probably be useless now; but he still had his former mind’s terrible memories of his time in the Sanctuary, writhing with pain on the floor. With a cruel smirk Raven imagined Elsynne in that position instead.

The staircase wound around the inside of the tower, climbing endlessly to a point near the top. Thin, misty black magic coiled around his ankles and floated lazily down the steps. The air smelled bittersweet, just as it had when the fissures reopened in Lavinia. Raven took a deep breath and felt the energy of the black magic flow through his body; he savored it, taking strength from the poisonous miasma.

‘Although…it’s not poison for me anymore, is it?’ he thought with a satisfied grin.

At the apex of the staircase he found another long, black hallway. Raven held his hands at his side, his pulse quickening. Baldur’s altar wasn’t far now.
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