And, just so yall know, I've got a bit of stuff going on today and some traveling, so I won't be able to be very active today. If it helps, Eira can just watch while yall interact, and I can join ib next week when stuff is finally calm TwT
Hello! :D I'm doing alright, happy time started today and I'm feeling it, but I already took some ibuprofen for that X'D How're you?
Ahh alrighty, it seems like it's one thing after another 'XD But that's alright! I guess we can always go with that, and hopefully you'll be able to hop in next week, Fade! :s
It'll probably be a while before anyone else shows up 'XD
I'm really tired and a bit drained but other then that I'm great xD
Aww, that alright Fade, hopefully things will calm down for you soon, we can see how it goes and fill you in next time on what went down so you can hop back in ^-^
Most likely Lilly x'D I really hope your happy time take it easy on you :(
Ah, happy time sucks, hang in there Lilly :'] Glad you have some ibuprofen at least, and hopefully get to sit and rest all day x)
Yeah, it's been pretty crazy... I have a lot of finals stuff to work on, and friends are going out of town for the month so they want to get together one last time. But all this stuff will be done by next week, so I'll hopefully (fingers crossed) be totally free! Thanks guys for understanding x')
It sounds like it's been tiring for you, Shadow... I hope you can get some rest soon! Will this month be less busy for you?
Uh oh, good luck Fluffy! Take it one step at a time, and don't forget to drink some water and pray! Prayer at the beginning of a day sure makes a difference.
Other than the busyness of school and social, I'm doing okay x'3 I really look forward to being free to draw all day X'D I would love to work on drawing more without putting as much pressure eon myself to get everything right. Sometimes the hardest part is just starting!
It will be awesome to see you draw again when you get the time! X3 But I feel that, being a perfectionist can kill art sometimes, but definitely try not to stress about getting everything right or getting it exactly as you imagined it in your head. The best you can do is genuinely enjoy drawing, and that love for your art will show in what you make~
Best of luck to you Fade with finals and I hope you have fun with your friends! It be awesome to see you draw again and for fun x3 I really hope that you get some free time and give yourself a break and just go with the flow of art :)
Thank you for the advice and prayers, Fade! Man, that's a lot on your plate too, but at least you can look forward to next week. Good luck with your finals and everything else going on this week! I hope you have fun with your friends, too!
I'm with Lilly--I'll be praying for you, and everyone else too! ...And I'm with Lilly a second time, and Shadow too, because what they're saying is absolutely right. XD
I think December will be calmer, at least im hoping it will be, I haven't taken on any more art trade so all that left is the ones I got going on now and my plan is to have them all done in Dec so that way I'm ready for the NEW Year! XD I got plans~
Terradream keeps his smile up until Osiris announces himself, and then it slowly hides itself away as the ghost goes back into nervous introvert mode. He simply nods his head in agreement with Fiona's answer to imply that he's reached the same conclusion as her, and then looks down to his notebook to write a few more things in it.
Wellll let's see here, for the kitchen we got several mini interactions going on...
Eater and Ai
Catch, Ethan and Eira
Boreas and Jasmine are kinda jumping around
Crystal
if Fade not here then it looks like I'm going to RP Catch and Ethan a bit? Unless Galaxy chime in or we get Boreas and Jasmine to, but that up to you what you like to have Boreas do Fluffy)
Catch helped the wolf boy onto a chair again " how about you just take it easy "
Ethan nodded " yes sir..."
The Dreamer prince gave a half hearted smile, it was Strange thinking about him and Eira being royalty but he wasn't going dishonor the boy by telling him otherwise, for now he patted Ethan on the shoulder
" that is very good news lady Fiona, one does not go anywhere unless they first " Osiris replied, he then inquired " is there anything I my assistant you further with?" But after he asked this the expression shifted to one of thought, then he asked " or perhaps I could be so bold in asking for your assistance in a matter..."
"Hmm," Dreameater mumbles in reply, thinking over what Ai said for a moment. "So you say a bad guy in the shadows stole Judas' eye, and we have to go in the shadows to get it back? Well, where in the shadows? There's lots of shadowy, evil places. And who would the bad guy be? There's lots of bad guys who use shadows, too. And you think we could take 'em, just me and you?" the Nightmare asks, then stands up and nonchalantly goes back to making everyone's hot chocolate.
Fiona's eyes briefly shifted to Terra, then back to Osiris. She looked as though she wanted to say something--specifically, she wanted to ask about the thing that had attacked Purity... But the Phoenix butler's second question caught her attention. "Uh... Oh! You need help with something?" Even without knowing what Osiris needed assistance with, the Elemental looked rather eager.
"True that." Boreas nodded, a smirk of his own on his face. A few other things were coming to his mind now--other than just information gathering. He hadn't spoken to Eira or Catch after the events in the infirmary... Crystal was there in the kitchen too, it'd been a while since he'd last talked to her. There were even people he had yet to introduce himself to. Eater seemed occupied and a little less on-edge then, so as long as he kept an eye on the Nightmare, the Captain figured he could take the time to simply check up on the group. He'd worry more about mystery-solving later. "Mmmm, coffee would be my pick--iced. If it isn't obvious, hot beverages and I don't get along."
//... He needs help with something...?// Terra questions, putting his pencil down again, looking towards Osirirs, and slowly pulling his ribbon away from Fiona's hands.
Osiris slowly nodded " unfortunately this will not be an easy task...I have received word that yet other attack has befall upon a part of the Angel city, this time in Tomahawk District, reports have spoken of monsters and this I find very Troubling... " his tone at the end left it as if he had more to say, but instead he placed his hand to his chinn in though as he looked to the ghostly Fairfin
"/The city's been attacked again?!/" Fiona didn't really know why she was surprised... She knew they never really got many breaks--or many /long/ ones, that is. "Well--we should go stop those monsters! Right?!" She blurted out at first, but then paused. ...The Elemental wanted to go with that mentality, but now she knew they needed to think more than just that before rushing into things... She also thought, from the sound of his tone, Osiris had more to say. "...Well... I mean... First of all... Who's getting attacked...? What's doing the attacking...?! And /why.../" She mumbled, following Osiris' gaze to Sparky. ...She didn't really know why he was looking at the ghostly Fairfin, but she wondered...
...She was also so focused on this news, she hadn't quite noticed that Terra had unravelled his ribbon from around her hands, yet.
(Yeee! I'm looking forward to that too! For sure, it'll come eventually. X)
Oooh new year plans... Interesting...
...I really wanna get back into drawing again too, but I haven't really been able to with everything going on at home--well, other than the occasional sketch book sketch.)
Crimson close his eye to rest, but his mind wasn't, something didn't feel right, his mind keep going back to what could possibly attack Scarlet, whatever didn't set right with him, it remained the red princeof then Hiiro took him outsidethe the barrier but worse " hay... what the heck going on out there?"
One of the Nurses paused, she look to the other before meekly replying " what do you mean?"
" this world... its felt dead but it isn't...so tell me, what kind of magic is it?" Crimson open his eye to look to the Nurse
Terra's eyes widen at the news, but he stays quiet, as usual, though he does glance over at Fiona when she blurts out her initial reaction. //... At least this time it feels like we've got more time to plan things out...// he thinks, letting Fiona ask her next questions, and then noticing how everyone's looking at Sparky. //He called Sparky 'master,' didn't he? Now he's staring at him... So there's something about Sparky that relates to all of this? Or is there something else? Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself... I don't know...//
Sparky had, after Fiona and Terra both calmed down earlier, flown back over to where he left the tablet, and was sitting right there by it when all three people in the room started staring at him. "... What, you want me to go beat 'em up?" he playfully remarks and crosses his arms, "I can throw cookies at the monsters if you give me ammo."
Ai frowned, she didn't know what shadows to start looking in, but she vaguely remembered Judas saying something along the lines of "the shadows are always listening" she whispers to Eater.
"If we speak to the shadows, I know something will happen" Ai's frown deepened as she thought, "Judas said he wants me dead" she brightened up her expression and shrugged, "Everyone want me dead, no one like Omen number 2"
A grin came across her face. "We can do it! We tough, I know it!" she pumped her fists excitedly, "Eater, please help me"
Hiiro had flown until his wings were beyond aching, he finally came to some sort of orchard and landed heavily in a clearing between the trees. A fruity scent washed over him, but it wasn't peaches, so he didn't care.
He snorted, turning in circles as he lashed his tail against the ground and trees. Flames flickered from his nostrils as he flared them, singeing the grass beneath his paws.
He collapsed in a now smokey clearing, rolling onto one side, his ribs heaved with barely contained rage. His mind was numb with an assortment of emotions.
" I have no doubts Master Sparky that you are Fierce with in battle, however this task may need a different approach" Osiris commented and then headed towards the Little Ghost Fairfin, he kneel down almost like a knight would before a king " may commandeer your tablet master Sparky, I believe with it I can better explain the situation "
Ethan sat there Anxiously, he wanted to tell both Dreamcatcher and Eira what he seen and he wanted to look over what he recorded, but with the Nightmare in the room, even though he was off to the other side he didn't want to say to much, but he did want the prince to know " I-I think Weaver still alive because of you " he Whispered Again just hearing that made a world of difference for Catch, that he actually did something good, even though he had thought for the longest time he failed " thank you for telling me this... " he looked over his shoulder at the Nightmare " ... is there anything else I can do to help Weaver?"
Ethan look down, he didn't know that answer " I-I don't know... your seals a-re beyond what I can do... I don't think I can help you with that... but maybe the queen? She knows the way of the old ones...sorry I-I can't help you out much more..."
Dreamcatcher smiled softly at the wolf boy " you help me, everyone who knows Weaver out, so thank you "
Ethan look up at the Dreamer prince with that and then look to were Eater was " s-o now what? "
" im not exactly sure myself but I know Weaver alive now, and I'm going to make sure to do what I can to save him all the way " Dreamcatcher reply with a new found hope
Comments
29 Nov, 2020, 6:25 pm
Helloooooooooooo
29 Nov, 2020, 6:27 pm
I'm actually here early this time X'D
How is everyone doing? X3
And, just so yall know, I've got a bit of stuff going on today and some traveling, so I won't be able to be very active today. If it helps, Eira can just watch while yall interact, and I can join ib next week when stuff is finally calm TwT
29 Nov, 2020, 6:38 pm
Oh my goodness you are X'D
Hello! :D I'm doing alright, happy time started today and I'm feeling it, but I already took some ibuprofen for that X'D How're you?
Ahh alrighty, it seems like it's one thing after another 'XD But that's alright! I guess we can always go with that, and hopefully you'll be able to hop in next week, Fade! :s
It'll probably be a while before anyone else shows up 'XD
29 Nov, 2020, 6:57 pm
I LIVE!!
Hi Fade and Lilly!
I'm really tired and a bit drained but other then that I'm great xD
Aww, that alright Fade, hopefully things will calm down for you soon, we can see how it goes and fill you in next time on what went down so you can hop back in ^-^
Most likely Lilly x'D
I really hope your happy time take it easy on you :(
29 Nov, 2020, 6:59 pm
Halloooooooo!!
Glad to hear you're doing alright Lilly! Other than happy time.
...I second that--how're you Fade?
Well, other than the business and traveling. I hope everything goes smoothly for ya, and that you'll be able to hop in next week! Hang in there!
I'm doing alright, too! There's a busy week ahead, so I'm taking as much break time as I can. 'XD
29 Nov, 2020, 6:59 pm
HALLO SHADOW! YOU LIVE!
29 Nov, 2020, 7:16 pm
Hey Fluffy, hey Shadow! Good to see you two, too! :3
I hope you have a nice break Fluffy, and good luck with the busy week ':s
You take it easy too, Shadow!
29 Nov, 2020, 7:22 pm
...It really sounds like everybody needs a break. ;w;
29 Nov, 2020, 7:34 pm
Shall I see about getting reposts?
29 Nov, 2020, 7:42 pm
Or do we even need them this time?
29 Nov, 2020, 7:45 pm
It been crazy this year ':/
Hopefully soon things will calm down for everyone and we all can get a nice good break
I don't think so Lilly
29 Nov, 2020, 7:46 pm
Yeah, it really has been... You hang in there too, Shadow! ':s
I don't think we really need 'em this time either. *double thumbs up*
29 Nov, 2020, 7:49 pm
Alrighty! I'll get to work on my reply for Terra then~
29 Nov, 2020, 7:52 pm
Hi Lilly Shadow and Fluffy!!
Ah, happy time sucks, hang in there Lilly :'] Glad you have some ibuprofen at least, and hopefully get to sit and rest all day x)
Yeah, it's been pretty crazy... I have a lot of finals stuff to work on, and friends are going out of town for the month so they want to get together one last time. But all this stuff will be done by next week, so I'll hopefully (fingers crossed) be totally free! Thanks guys for understanding x')
It sounds like it's been tiring for you, Shadow... I hope you can get some rest soon! Will this month be less busy for you?
Uh oh, good luck Fluffy! Take it one step at a time, and don't forget to drink some water and pray! Prayer at the beginning of a day sure makes a difference.
I'll be praying for all of you!
29 Nov, 2020, 7:53 pm
Other than the busyness of school and social, I'm doing okay x'3 I really look forward to being free to draw all day X'D I would love to work on drawing more without putting as much pressure eon myself to get everything right. Sometimes the hardest part is just starting!
29 Nov, 2020, 7:56 pm
I am on Frank and the words are weird!
29 Nov, 2020, 7:56 pm
im going to rp and reply on my cell, it to hard on my pc
29 Nov, 2020, 7:57 pm
Thank you Fade~ I'm sure I'll be alright X3
Ah alrighty! Best of luck on the finals, and I hope you have a good time with your friends! :3
I'll be praying for you, Fade, and everyone else too~
29 Nov, 2020, 7:59 pm
It will be awesome to see you draw again when you get the time! X3 But I feel that, being a perfectionist can kill art sometimes, but definitely try not to stress about getting everything right or getting it exactly as you imagined it in your head. The best you can do is genuinely enjoy drawing, and that love for your art will show in what you make~
29 Nov, 2020, 8:03 pm
Best of luck to you Fade with finals and I hope you have fun with your friends! It be awesome to see you draw again and for fun x3 I really hope that you get some free time and give yourself a break and just go with the flow of art :)
29 Nov, 2020, 8:04 pm
Thank you for the advice and prayers, Fade!
Man, that's a lot on your plate too, but at least you can look forward to next week. Good luck with your finals and everything else going on this week! I hope you have fun with your friends, too!
I'm with Lilly--I'll be praying for you, and everyone else too!
...And I'm with Lilly a second time, and Shadow too, because what they're saying is absolutely right. XD
29 Nov, 2020, 8:05 pm
I think December will be calmer, at least im hoping it will be, I haven't taken on any more art trade so all that left is the ones I got going on now and my plan is to have them all done in Dec so that way I'm ready for the NEW Year! XD I got plans~
29 Nov, 2020, 8:07 pm
We got the prayers Squad! XD
29 Nov, 2020, 8:11 pm
Yes we do XD
29 Nov, 2020, 8:12 pm
Terradream keeps his smile up until Osiris announces himself, and then it slowly hides itself away as the ghost goes back into nervous introvert mode. He simply nods his head in agreement with Fiona's answer to imply that he's reached the same conclusion as her, and then looks down to his notebook to write a few more things in it.
29 Nov, 2020, 8:16 pm
Wellll let's see here, for the kitchen we got several mini interactions going on...
Eater and Ai
Catch, Ethan and Eira
Boreas and Jasmine are kinda jumping around
Crystal
if Fade not here then it looks like I'm going to RP Catch and Ethan a bit? Unless Galaxy chime in or we get Boreas and Jasmine to, but that up to you what you like to have Boreas do Fluffy)
29 Nov, 2020, 8:27 pm
(Yee, that sounds good, we can always go you, then me, then Blood, kind of keeping a bit of the order we had before. I guess? If Blood shows up :P)
29 Nov, 2020, 8:31 pm
( ok, then that means it back to my turn then?)
29 Nov, 2020, 8:32 pm
(Yep!)
29 Nov, 2020, 8:45 pm
( im wing it, TnT there not ignoring you Eiraaa)
Catch helped the wolf boy onto a chair again " how about you just take it easy "
Ethan nodded " yes sir..."
The Dreamer prince gave a half hearted smile, it was Strange thinking about him and Eira being royalty but he wasn't going dishonor the boy by telling him otherwise, for now he patted Ethan on the shoulder
29 Nov, 2020, 8:51 pm
(*Late double thumbs up*)
29 Nov, 2020, 8:58 pm
" that is very good news lady Fiona, one does not go anywhere unless they first " Osiris replied, he then inquired " is there anything I my assistant you further with?" But after he asked this the expression shifted to one of thought, then he asked " or perhaps I could be so bold in asking for your assistance in a matter..."
29 Nov, 2020, 9:01 pm
"Hmm," Dreameater mumbles in reply, thinking over what Ai said for a moment. "So you say a bad guy in the shadows stole Judas' eye, and we have to go in the shadows to get it back? Well, where in the shadows? There's lots of shadowy, evil places. And who would the bad guy be? There's lots of bad guys who use shadows, too. And you think we could take 'em, just me and you?" the Nightmare asks, then stands up and nonchalantly goes back to making everyone's hot chocolate.
29 Nov, 2020, 9:09 pm
Fiona's eyes briefly shifted to Terra, then back to Osiris. She looked as though she wanted to say something--specifically, she wanted to ask about the thing that had attacked Purity... But the Phoenix butler's second question caught her attention.
"Uh... Oh! You need help with something?" Even without knowing what Osiris needed assistance with, the Elemental looked rather eager.
29 Nov, 2020, 9:15 pm
"True that." Boreas nodded, a smirk of his own on his face. A few other things were coming to his mind now--other than just information gathering.
He hadn't spoken to Eira or Catch after the events in the infirmary... Crystal was there in the kitchen too, it'd been a while since he'd last talked to her. There were even people he had yet to introduce himself to.
Eater seemed occupied and a little less on-edge then, so as long as he kept an eye on the Nightmare, the Captain figured he could take the time to simply check up on the group. He'd worry more about mystery-solving later.
"Mmmm, coffee would be my pick--iced.
If it isn't obvious, hot beverages and I don't get along."
29 Nov, 2020, 10:05 pm
//... He needs help with something...?// Terra questions, putting his pencil down again, looking towards Osirirs, and slowly pulling his ribbon away from Fiona's hands.
29 Nov, 2020, 10:29 pm
Osiris slowly nodded " unfortunately this will not be an easy task...I have received word that yet other attack has befall upon a part of the Angel city, this time in Tomahawk District, reports have spoken of monsters and this I find very Troubling... " his tone at the end left it as if he had more to say, but instead he placed his hand to his chinn in though as he looked to the ghostly Fairfin
29 Nov, 2020, 10:48 pm
(Thank you everyone! x) Yee, prayer squad! XD Yeah, I look forward to being able to draw again, and for enjoyment. We'll see how it goes x3
Ooooh, new year plans?~ eve I love seeing all of you guys' art too x3)
30 Nov, 2020, 12:42 am
"/The city's been attacked again?!/" Fiona didn't really know why she was surprised... She knew they never really got many breaks--or many /long/ ones, that is. "Well--we should go stop those monsters! Right?!" She blurted out at first, but then paused.
...The Elemental wanted to go with that mentality, but now she knew they needed to think more than just that before rushing into things... She also thought, from the sound of his tone, Osiris had more to say.
"...Well... I mean... First of all...
Who's getting attacked...? What's doing the attacking...?! And /why.../" She mumbled, following Osiris' gaze to Sparky.
...She didn't really know why he was looking at the ghostly Fairfin, but she wondered...
...She was also so focused on this news, she hadn't quite noticed that Terra had unravelled his ribbon from around her hands, yet.
30 Nov, 2020, 12:44 am
(Yeee! I'm looking forward to that too! For sure, it'll come eventually. X)
Oooh new year plans... Interesting...
...I really wanna get back into drawing again too, but I haven't really been able to with everything going on at home--well, other than the occasional sketch book sketch.)
30 Nov, 2020, 12:52 am
(I took a nap :') )
Crimson close his eye to rest, but his mind wasn't, something didn't feel right, his mind keep going back to what could possibly attack Scarlet, whatever didn't set right with him, it remained the red princeof then Hiiro took him outsidethe the barrier but worse " hay... what the heck going on out there?"
One of the Nurses paused, she look to the other before meekly replying " what do you mean?"
" this world... its felt dead but it isn't...so tell me, what kind of magic is it?" Crimson open his eye to look to the Nurse
30 Nov, 2020, 12:53 am
( it be really nice for everyone to finally get some breaks, im with Fluffy, I think we will and it be great ^-^ )
30 Nov, 2020, 1:20 am
(I wonder where Blood is, and if she's doing alright? ':/ )
30 Nov, 2020, 1:22 am
(I'm wondering too. ':s)
30 Nov, 2020, 1:26 am
( im wondering about Blood and Galaxy ':( )
30 Nov, 2020, 1:29 am
(Yeah, Galaxy too, though she likes to be a ninja...?)
30 Nov, 2020, 1:33 am
(Yeah... I hope everything's okay for both of 'em. ':s)
30 Nov, 2020, 1:51 am
Terra's eyes widen at the news, but he stays quiet, as usual, though he does glance over at Fiona when she blurts out her initial reaction. //... At least this time it feels like we've got more time to plan things out...// he thinks, letting Fiona ask her next questions, and then noticing how everyone's looking at Sparky. //He called Sparky 'master,' didn't he? Now he's staring at him... So there's something about Sparky that relates to all of this? Or is there something else? Maybe I'm getting ahead of myself... I don't know...//
Sparky had, after Fiona and Terra both calmed down earlier, flown back over to where he left the tablet, and was sitting right there by it when all three people in the room started staring at him. "... What, you want me to go beat 'em up?" he playfully remarks and crosses his arms, "I can throw cookies at the monsters if you give me ammo."
30 Nov, 2020, 2:10 am
Ai frowned, she didn't know what shadows to start looking in, but she vaguely remembered Judas saying something along the lines of "the shadows are always listening" she whispers to Eater.
"If we speak to the shadows, I know something will happen" Ai's frown deepened as she thought, "Judas said he wants me dead" she brightened up her expression and shrugged, "Everyone want me dead, no one like Omen number 2"
A grin came across her face. "We can do it! We tough, I know it!" she pumped her fists excitedly, "Eater, please help me"
30 Nov, 2020, 2:13 am
Hiiro had flown until his wings were beyond aching, he finally came to some sort of orchard and landed heavily in a clearing between the trees. A fruity scent washed over him, but it wasn't peaches, so he didn't care.
He snorted, turning in circles as he lashed his tail against the ground and trees. Flames flickered from his nostrils as he flared them, singeing the grass beneath his paws.
He collapsed in a now smokey clearing, rolling onto one side, his ribs heaved with barely contained rage. His mind was numb with an assortment of emotions.
30 Nov, 2020, 2:18 am
(There you are Blood! Hope everything gets better and will be alright over there *hugs*)
30 Nov, 2020, 3:38 am
" I have no doubts Master Sparky that you are Fierce with in battle, however this task may need a different approach" Osiris commented and then headed towards the Little Ghost Fairfin, he kneel down almost like a knight would before a king " may commandeer your tablet master Sparky, I believe with it I can better explain the situation "
30 Nov, 2020, 3:39 am
Ethan sat there Anxiously, he wanted to tell both Dreamcatcher and Eira what he seen and he wanted to look over what he recorded, but with the Nightmare in the room, even though he was off to the other side he didn't want to say to much, but he did want the prince to know " I-I think Weaver still alive because of you " he Whispered
Again just hearing that made a world of difference for Catch, that he actually did something good, even though he had thought for the longest time he failed " thank you for telling me this... " he looked over his shoulder at the Nightmare " ... is there anything else I can do to help Weaver?"
Ethan look down, he didn't know that answer " I-I don't know... your seals a-re beyond what I can do... I don't think I can help you with that... but maybe the queen? She knows the way of the old ones...sorry I-I can't help you out much more..."
Dreamcatcher smiled softly at the wolf boy " you help me, everyone who knows Weaver out, so thank you "
Ethan look up at the Dreamer prince with that and then look to were Eater was " s-o now what? "
" im not exactly sure myself but I know Weaver alive now, and I'm going to make sure to do what I can to save him all the way " Dreamcatcher reply with a new found hope
30 Nov, 2020, 4:34 am
( I think we'll call it early tonight guys, everyone had a long week and could probably use the rest
I hope next week will be better for everyone, *hug* hang in there and talk to you all next time )
30 Nov, 2020, 4:55 am
(Yeah, I think that's a good idea ':s I feel like it's just becoming a thing now, but I hope next week is better for everyone~)
30 Nov, 2020, 5:04 am
(Alrighty, well... I hope you all have a good night, and I hope next week'll be better for everyone, too. Hang in there, guys! *hugs*)
30 Nov, 2020, 5:11 am
( alright, good night everyone, see you next time)