• Closed • Rest Calm (In Dreams)

[Shl'Drei]

80th Vhalar, Arc 721

When Shl'drei walked into the academy for the day, the last thing he expected was... well, this. The science professor he was familiar with, Harold Drumpf, had told him something of interest to him would await him in the graduation hall. What he didn't expect was to see all kinds of adventures? Travellers? Well, rugged well-travelled looking people congregated in the large hall.

His first thought was to immediately walk back out- he had no idea what was going on and had to have the wrong room, surely? He scanned the crowds for the sight of familiar feathers but found not a single indication the professor was present. Curiosity won out in the end, and he snuck a refreshment from one of the tables and took a sip as he watched everyone mingle.

There weren't many- maybe less than six - but they all had a kind of look about them that foreshadowed the experiences Shl'drei had yet to gain. It was equal parts exciting and nerve-racking, having them glance at him with critical and appraising eyes. He managed to shuffle off into an empty corner, his curiosity getting the best of him. He didn't know what the occasion was but aside from some looks no one seemed to have the smallest desire to kick him out or single him out as an unknown party. Perhaps it was a public event then.

Now that he thought about it, shifting the weight of his pack over his shoulder, everyone seemed to have a similar mind to what the professor had told the tamer. Dress casual, something you won't miss. Bring some travel things but pack light. Thinking back on it, he could have questioned it more. Though the particular professor had a taste for the ridiculous thought trains, they were always based on the interest and betterment of the student which he gave his time.

Was this a trip of sorts then? He failed to recognize anyone from his class though. Perhaps he should leave- he felt like this was right up the professors alley. Putting the tamer in odd situations to better his judgement and sharpen his mind. On some occasions he found it nice to be challenged in such a way, but the present moment only served to further his anxiety. He didn't care much for being out of the loop or in the dark.

He counted his belongings, whip, dagger, check. Dried jerky and water skin, check. He supposed it was a bit odd to wear the bracelet- a gift from Ilaren for his efforts. Honestly he wasn't sure why he was so worried - he'd told himself that he'd gotten over his fear of uncertainty. Knowing where the issue stemmed from disproved that notion rather quickly.

He supposed if worse came to, Mashu was always on standby should the need arise. He sipped more punch as his gaze travelled to the stage where someone was seemingly setting up a podium as the lights dimmed a bit. Focusing his attention there, Shl'drei waited impatiently for someone to speak as his foot tapped against the floorboards.

[Avalon]

80th Vhalar, Arc 721

With perhaps a half a dozen people milling about the room, Shl’drei had begun to wonder the reason it had been ‘suggested’ for him to attend the….well….whatever it was, in the room he was directed to, but the intrigue, however, didn’t stop there. More and more people joined the group, filling the room with all manner of people but similarly outfitted for travel of some sort, it seemed.

Conversation erupted around the room, some people choosing to converse in small, quiet groups near the corners of the space. In contrast, others boisterously let everyone know that they were just as mystified as Shl’drei as to the nature and purpose of the gathering.

The din of the room continued to climb until suddenly a voice rose over the noise, managing to attract the attention of those being most loud, and the voices slowly ebbed to a dull murmur. “Everyone! Everyone! Please, let’s get started, shall we?”

The voice belonged to a middle-aged man that Shl’drei wouldn’t recognize, but the clipboard in his hand and a rather insistent tone seemed to indicate that he was the one to listen to.

“I apologize. Professors Drumpf and Seams planned to be here but got caught up at the last minute in an emergency meeting. No matter, though! I have the lists and information needed to get everyone started.”

Clearing his throat, the stocky blond human got down to business. “You’ve all been asked here to participate in various expeditions throughout Scalvoris. The professors have hand-picked each of you for these trips, and while you are not required to take part, each is guaranteed to further your educational goals.”

Sauntering to the side of the room, he lifted a sheet of paper from his clipboard and attached it to the wall in front of him, explaining as he went. “Please check your assignments here and proceed to meet your group. Team leaders have already been assigned previously,” he said, nodding her head at a group of people just inside the door, who then positioned themselves along a far wall, spacing out between them.

“And are as follows,” he continued, listing off the expeditions in order, and pointing to the team leaders of each. It sounded as though all the expeditions were Scalvoris-based, reaching the far corners of the island. Scaltoth. Sweetwine. Scalvoris Mountains.

Finally, a few last words. “If you choose not to participate, please let me know so I can notate that and make suitable arrangements. Thank you all, and good luck!”

The people converged on the list, each looking for their name, expressing joy or dissatisfaction with their assignment. Once Shl’drei got his chance to see the list, he would note his name under the “Sweetwine: Immortal’s Clearing” header.

Looking around, team leaders were calling out their expedition locations, trying to make it easier for their teams to find them. In the corner, a tall, thick man mentioned Sweetwine, although the buzz in the room was so loud that it made deciphering what anyone said difficult.

[Shl'Drei]

With so many people filing in after him and not all of them knowing of the situation judging by the loud chatter, Shl'drei felt a bit more at ease. If everyone had been gathered nd not all of them knew the purpose, that meant he wasn't the only one in the dark. He felt a tinge of shame for having doubted the professor as someone up front explained the situation. Shl'drei couldn't say he'd seen the clipboard-wielding man before, but he took his spot in front of everyone and announced that they'd been hand picked for expeditions.

When Shl'drei got up to the list, he noted his assignment, and took a quick glance around to see some either satisfied or dissatisfied with their location. He shrugged, summoning his connection with Mashu who responded in kind. He couldn't imagine that it would be easy, and the wolf agreed. In all fairness, this was sprung on him and he wasn't sure if he was ready for something like the events of Faldrass to happen again under the name of expeditions. "That said", Mashu began. "It would be a perfect opportunity to put your new gifts to use."

He shifted his weight as he moved out of the others' way so that they could also see the list as he conversed with the wolf. With a sigh, Shl'drei admitted that it would be be good chance. Not to mention he'd yet to put his blessings to use - the last thing he wanted was to squander something given to him by Karem, herself. Though Immortals clearing? Surely that'd be dangerous. At least he was somewhat prepared thanks to the previous warning from the Professor. He acknowledged it so he was going to see it through since he'd come all this way.

"To your right, I believe our group is there," Mashu nudged, pulling him from his thoughts. He nodded, and approached slowly, giving himself time to think and access his fellow adventurers. "Immortals Clearing?" he asked the tall, thick man that appeared to be the leader of their group. "I'm Shl'drei. Hope I can help," He mused, holding his hand out for the man to take if he chose. Whichever decision he made, he'd give his hand a firm squeeze or retract it after a few trills. He then took the time to observe the man as they waited for the remainder of their group.

[Jackalope]

The tall, thickset man had a gruff, bluff, friendly manner. He smiled as he took Shl’drei’s hand in a bone-crunching grasp and said: ”Vantas. And I’m sure you can help or the University wouldn’t have assigned you here.” That sorted that, as far as Vantas was concerned, and he released Shl’drei’s aching hand to turn to the group that had gathered around him.

”Right! So listen up!” he called out, in a voice loud enough to distract people in the other groups. ”If you’re here, it’s because you’ve been assigned to go to the Sweetwine Woods; more specifically, we’ll be headed to Immortal’s Clearing, and then on to a place called ‘Dream Lake’.” Vantas shrugged his impressive shoulders. ”Don’t know much about the latter place, apart from it’s just next to Immortal’s Clearing. That means we’re headed to the north end of the Sweetwine. We’ll be taking the road to Egilrun and stopping at the Ranger outpost there. There we’ll pick up a guide who’ll lead us to a good place to cross the ‘Run. We’ll be following the group headed to the Scalvoris Mountains, since they’ll be taking the same route and then continuing all the way to Egilrun and beyond.”

Vantas looked over the assembled volunteers questioningly. ”Who here’s good on horseback?”Novice or better at Mount (Land) A couple of the group raised their hands tentatively. That left four people besides Vantas and Shl’drei himself.

The team leader (for such Vantas apparently was) nodded. ”How many of you brought your own mounts?” he asked next. Only one of the couple from earlier rose his hand again. Vantas shrugged. ”Alright, well, we’ve got a couple rounceys we’re taking with us. Nothing fancy, and you’ll have to feed ‘em yourself.” He paused to see if anyone was going to balk at that, but no one did.

”Right!” he resumed. ”The rest of you will either have to walk or ride one of the carts. I’ll take you out to them so you can help load stuff. We won’t be leaving for a couple breaks since, as I said, we’re trailing the Mountains group. So you’ll have plenty of time.”

Vantas frowned, then looked at the list of names he had. There seemed to be some sort of notation on it that interested him. He shot a questioning look at Shl’drei. ”Said you were Shl’rei, right?” It was barely a question, and the big man did not await an answer before walking up beside him and clapping a had heavily on his shoulder. Standing next to him, Shl’drei could see that he was no more than a finger taller than he, but had at least twenty pounds on him.

”This here’s Shl’rei” Vantas announced to the group, as well as anybody else within a mile radius. ”He’s our resident expert on handling and caring for animals. If you need any help with a horse, just come get him. He’ll be happy to help.”

Several sets of curious eyes, some of them from clear across the assembly area, turned curiously towards the tall young man, wondering how he would respond.

Objectives

• Decide what if anything to say to Shl’drei’s unexpected audience, or to Vantas.
• State whether Shl’rei will be riding, taking the cart, walking, etc. Will he be taking his Scalvwing?
• People in Vantas’ team are free to do what they wish the next couple of breaks. Decide what if anything Shl’drei might do with this time besides simply prepare and then wait.

[Shl'Drei]

Shl'drei attempted to to keep his face neutral, but beneath that hurt. The man, Vantas, took his hand with the friendliest smile - Shl'drei didn't have time to regret his choice to shake hands, Vantas crushed his hand in a bruising grip. He felt his face twitch despite his best effort, but kept smiling and bearing until Vantas released him so he could subtly message his own hand. his voice projection was impressive, a she addressed the group Shl'drei flinched slightly at the volume. Dream lake, huh? As far as the tamer could track, he'd never heard of it. Perhaps it was freshly discovered? Or a rumor they were investigating? Immortals clearing... Wasn't that area supposed to be dangerous? He'd lived briefly in Sweetwine - it hadn't been the best place to live all things considered.

In his head, the tamer attempted to map the path they'd be taking - from Scalvoris proper, they'd head to Egilrun. After a stop at the rangers outpost, they'd be heading to Sweetwine. Sweetwine straight to the clearing, he guessed. That was indeed a hike, but at the very least they'd have safety in numbers. When Vantas asked about their capabilities, Shl'drei hesitantly rose his hands with the group that could. Shl'drei relaxed his arm but put it back up at the mount inquiry. When no one reacted aversely, the thick man continued.

"Ye-" Shl'drei started to answer, but Vantas had moved on. The trainer figured it wasn't really a question if he didn't wait for the answer, a firmly clapped to hand to his shoulder and Shl'drei was now the center of attention. He didn't like all the spotlight or the attention he was getting, but he swallowed his nerves the best he could and plastered a stiff smile on his face, body rigid as he spoke. "Oh, uhm, leave it to me. I'll help out the best I can?" He forced a chuckle and looked at each of his fellow adventures individually.

"T-that aside," He started, clearing his throat. "I'll probably be riding my Sclavwing. I'm not familiar with too much of Sweetwine, but I lived there for a brief period. Though much has changed since then." He mused. Shl'drei had no idea why Vantas had singled him out - nor why he'd put him on the spot so loudly. There was a certain pressure on him now, he felt like he had to do well. "Relax," Mashu cautioned in his mind. For a trill Shl'dreipaused to breath, but then everything starting moving again.

Sitting around for a few bits made him restless, so he decided to try and make small talk with his group - those who seemed bored or hadn't left yet, that was. "Do any of you have any specializations? It feels off to just talk about myself."

[Jackalope]

A couple awkward trills of silence met Shl’drei’s question initially. It seemed that most of the animal trainer’s new companions enjoyed basking in the limelight as much as he did. One notable exception to this reticence was a small ratlike cadouri, who happily spoke up first. ”I’m Phyllis!” she chirped brightly. ”I’m interested in…materials. An alchemist, you might say. I’ve heard stories about the waters of Dream Lake, how they put you to sleep. Well, if there’s something soporific in the water, I aim to find out what it is. Quia est in eo virtus dormitiva… oh, sorry.”

She trailed off awkwardly as an eidisi in the group shot her a sharp glance. That eidisi spoke up next, a bit more diffidently than the bubbly Phyllis.

”My name is Levian,” he stated simply, levelly. ”I am a cartographer. For the obvious reasons, I wish to map this feature, assuming it is actually there.”

”I’m sure it’s there!” protested Phyllis, indignant at any suggestion otherwise.

”I hope it’s there,” said a pale young human next. His pale, drawn cheeks reddened as he noticed the eyes that turned on him in response to his outburst. ”Sorry,” he muttered, looking down. Then, when he realized that the eyes were still on him, he cleared his throat nervously and said: ”Rondogh. That’s R-O-N-D-O-G-H. People don’t always spell it right. Anyway, I’m a scholar of metaphysics. When I heard about the lake and how it puts people to sleep, I thought it might be connected with Emea somehow. So I suggested that I go to Alison -er, I mean, Instructor Jeeve- that I go. She recommended me. She’s wonderful that way.” Rondogh’s voice trailed off rapturously at the end of the last sentence, drawing a wink from Phyllis and a cynical smirk from the eidisi.

”And I’m Vantas!” announced Vantas heartily, cutting through Rondogh’s smitten reverie. ”But you already know that. I’ll be taking care of all the logistical stuff. And helping you city mice figure out how to do things like pitch a tent and start a fire.” The big man paused a moment to regard the one person in the group who hadn’t spoken yet. This was a large, buff young man, whose tanned features looked like they had soaked up all the sunlight that had never reached Rondogh’s skin. ”What about you, young man?” Vantas prodded him. ”You know how to start a fire or pitch a tent?”

The ‘young man’ looked up calmly. When he answered, his speech came deliberately, reluctantly, but with momentum once it got started, a bit like a mule team. ”Name’s Glover,” he said. ”I’m a farmer. But I’ve been at the Academy lately, working on a certification in botany. Mom and Papa both say that science may be tough, but knowing it’s important if you want to be a good farmer, and I want to be a good farmer. This expedition sounds like a good way to maybe find out about some new plants. If this lake’s as different as everybody says, it’s likely to have unique flora. So…here I am.” A belated realization hit him. He looked at Vantas: ”Oh, and yeah, I can do stuff in the field, too. I’m no woodsman, but I’ve slept and cooked outdoors plenty of times.”

Vantas looked over the group with a delighted grin, as if he’d just assembled some sort of dream team. He was the sort who always acted like whatever had just happened was exactly what he wanted, that whatever anyone had just said to him was the most delightfully satisfying thing anyone could have said. Not long after, it was time for their group to gear up and go.

Vantas was driving the cart, and Phyllis and and eidisi had both elected to go on the cart. Glover had brought his own horse, a big, sturdy field hunter named ‘Socket’ for reasons the farmer didn’t explain. It was clear he knew how to handle the thing. Rondogh insisted on riding himself, although he had not brought his own mount. The expedition was able to supply him with a rouncey named ‘Lightning’, a name, which, Vantas explained, was a bit like naming a bald man ‘Curly’.

Shl’drei would be able to see why. Lightning was about as placid an animal as one could ask for; it probably wouldn’t buck or even break into much more than a trot no matter how you goaded it. And that was just as well, as Rondogh just as clearly was no horseman.

”Alright!” called out Vantas after he had climbed into the cart’s driver’s seat, his booming voice causing Phyllis to wince: ”Let’s head out! Everybody stay together. Keep within sight of one another. If you lose sight of another party member, let me know right away! Wagons HO!”

Objectives

• Describe the trip to Egilrun; assume it to be without untoward incident.
• Ask at least one other party member at least one question about themselves.
• Describe two animals Shl’drei sees along the way, one of which is a bird.

[Shl'Drei]

Shl'drei tesnee in the silence, but seemed to sag when the ratlike cadouri spoke up. The trainer's smile was crooked but no less genuine as he listened to Phyllis introduce herself and her place among the group. Shl'drei filed his question about the foreign language she'd used for later, instead turning to the eidisi who spoke up next. Levian seemed like a cool-headed character, and the trainer wondered briefly if the eidisi and the cadouri we're acquainted. It seemed like they were opposites who would mesh well despite that.

Next was a pale skinned man who seemed to have also been recommended. He filed the information on Rondogh away as he had for the first two introductions, eyes scanning the last person who seemed to stay quiet throughout the exchange. The man seemed the quiet sort - Shl'drei could relate. When Vantas put in his introduction again he seemed to poke verbally at the quiet man who trained slowly to introduce himself and his reasons.

Shl'drei hadn't considered farmers might be interested in things like exploration until Glover mentioned science. The farmhand looked the part of an explorer so his occupation was a nice surprise. Glover was studying botany - perhaps he'd be able to identify some of the plants more easily.

With introductions out of the way, Shl'drei tried to focus on the strengths of each companion. An Alchemist, a metaphysics student, a cartographer, a farmhand, an animal trainer, and hopefully a field expert from what the trainer could guess. Not a bad group - the range of skills would be helpful as long as they worked together. Once they had mingled for a bit longer, it was time to set out.

Once Shl'drei had retrieved Mittie he took his place with the riders in the group and hopped up on the scalvwing's back, giving her neck an affectionate pat as they waited for orders. Once signaled, Shl'drei pulled up beside the cart with Mittie to ask the cadouri a few questions.

He gently pulled back on the reins to manage the trotting speed Mittie tried to establish so that he was keeping pace with the cart. Once he'd set the pace and the scalvwing took to it he relaxed a bit further and turned to Phyllis in the hopes to chat with her.

"Hello, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind some questions?" The tamer inclined his head to her as he spoke, but kept his view forward. "I was curious about the language you used earlier. I don't think I've heard it before. Are you originally from Scalvoris? Ah," he realized that might be too forward so he backtracked a bit. "I lived in Rharne for a bit, but I'm always curious about other places. Don't feel like you have to answer!"

If she decided to converse with him, Shl'drei listened intently to what she had to say. He found himself a bit awkward as usual - but he didn't trip over himself too much, he hoped. "Ah, you said you were an Alchemist, right? Sorry if this is silly or rude, but what exactly do you do?" He tried to keep it clear he meant no offense and that he was simply curious. He couldn't remember a time he'd heard of an alchemist after all.

"Also, you seem to be at least somewhat informed on Dream Lake. Is there anything else to keep an eye out for?" He wondered what sort of place it was. Water that puts people to sleep… he wondered what uses someone could find for such a thing. Thanking the cadouri, he rugged Mittie's rings once again to slow her a bit further - enough to let the cart lead.

The trip to Egilrun was thankfully uneventful - there were few things to note and nothing out of the ordinary as they left the Scalvoris Town borders behind them. In the more undeveloped areas, Shl'drei focused on Mittie and the road. He looked back every now and then to make sure Rondogh was alright with Lightning and to keep up with the other rider.

He noticed some kind of fox on the way out of Scalvoris and slowed a bit more despite the swivel of Morrie's ears as they passed it. It had larger whiskers than any breed he'd seen, and it appeared to have a pure dark brown coat. It's ears picked up on the group and when Shl'drei blinked it was gone. Overhead some sort of large bird seemed to keep with the group almost as if watching them.

Shielding his eyes as he looked up, Shl'drei guessed it to be some sort of vulture. It has a light coat and large talons with a rounded bill. It flapped its wings twice and then coasted the air above them as they proceeded into Egilrun. He gave the reins a light ripple when he realized he'd slowed Mittie and dragged behind the group. Pushing her into a light trot caught him up and from then he kept up as he kept an eye on his surroundings, Mashu staying quiet in his mind.

[Jackalope]

The cart moved slowly, and not always smoothly, such that Mittie seemed restless and perhaps even a bit resentful at being asked to match pace with it; however, such could not be helped if Shl’drei was to stay with the group.

Apart from being excruciatingly slow (by Mittie standards), the journey from Scalvoris Town to Egilrun proceeded without incident. Shl’drei’s venture into small talk with Phyllis was a wild success; the cadouri alchemist was happy to talk about alchemy and pretty much anything else she knew something about. ”What was that language?” she asked, repeating Shld’drei’s question back to him. ”Ancient Language, I assume; I’m not really sure. The phrase means something like ‘because it has a narcotic property’.”

Phyllis’ neighbor in the cart, Levian the eidisi cartographer, looked over in mild interest when the cadouri mentioned the Ancient Language, but frowned at her explanation. He shook his head. ”I don’t think it’s Ancient Language,” he offered.

”Atvian?” the cadouri countered, a bit nonplussed. The eidisi looked for a trill as if he were going to shake his head again, but instead shrugged. ”Could be, I suppose,” he said doubtfully. He then sank his regard back into the book he had on his lap and withdrew from further conversation.

If Phyllis was embarrassed at being corrected on the language, she gave no sign of it, and instead seized eagerly onto Shl’drei’s next question. ”Oh! What do alchemists do? Well, it’s complicated -I mean, we do spend arcs learning the trade, after all. But basically what we do is take materials with interesting properties and figure out how to isolate and extract them. Then, once we’ve done that, we try to figure out how to apply the extracted property to another substance. So, maybe I hear about a lake the waters of which put to sleep anybody who drinks them. So I go to the lake and take some samples of the water, then do some tests and experiments with them in my workshop. Once I’ve managed to extract the virtus dormitiva, maybe I try to figure out the best way to, say, infuse a handkerchief with it so that it can put somebody to sleep by holding the handkerchief over their mouth and nose-”

The cadouri paused, appalled. ”I-I’m so sorry! What a terrible idea! What an awful example of a use!” She abruptly stopped talking, and was remarkably subdued for the rest of the trip to Egilrun. She never did answer Shl’drei question about what else, if anything, she knew to be present at Dream Lake. Fortunately for the conversation, Vantas chose that moment to chirp up.

”As to what else one might have to be mindful of there, well, there’s the usual hazards associated with a lake. It’s a watering hole, which means predators will hang out there waiting for prey. If the rumors are true that the lake puts beings who drink from it to sleep, I can imagine a predator using that to help them hunt: seems like a great way to catch prey unawares if they always doze off whenever they drink from the waters.” The big man shrugged his broad shoulders. ”Of course, all that might not be true. So far we only hear rumors of the place. That’s why we’re going to explore it after all.

“As to the area around Immortal’s Clearing in general, that’d be a better question for the Rangers once we get to Egilrun.”

Some time later, they got to Egilrun. The Ranger who greeted them, who was to be their guide, was a strapping biqaj by the name of Sh’ron Ng’yi, over whom Phyllis promptly swooned. The group would have a chance to rest in Egilrun, although Vantas would discourage the members from dallying or wandering in the town; thus, they stayed the night at the Ranger compound itself. Wanting to make as much use of sunlight as possible, Vantas got the group up at dawn, and after a quick breakfast, they met Sh’ron and set out as soon as the sun was clearing the treetops.

The expedition’s journey took them off the main roads and onto narrow paths and tracks challenging to their mounts’ footing, and over which the cart could move only slowly. They headed south as the sun climbed and the trees of the Sweetwine closed around and eventually behind them, separating them from civilization. That did not mean they were utterly isolated from other mortals even here. Occasionally they passed recent campsites, or spotted rising pencils of smoke from nearby fires somewhere in the forest. But for most of the trial, they did not see another mortal, nor a permanent structure, until they came at last to within sight of the standing stones of Immortal’s Clearing.

Sh’ron bade the group stop and wait while he scouted the forest of stones and lintels ahead. After a while he came back and announced: ”No one else here at the moment, including the caretaker.” The Ranger paused and regarded the group. When he spoke next, it was quietly: ”For many, this is a sacred place, or at least a restful one suitable for meditation. I think it appropriate that we take a break here for awhile. I have to scout a bit further on, to check the condition of the paths leading the rest of the way. I shall be back in about a break. This would be as good a time as any to offer any prayers, offerings, and so forth, as you might wish before we continue.” He cast a questioning glance to Vantas, who nodded quietly. Returning the nod, the Ranger set off further south, making his way carefully through the jumble of stones that sprouted from the ground everywhere here.

After a while, the Ranger returned, looking somewhat glum. ”The paths going forward will not support the cart, I’m afraid. We shall have to load the animals and walk on foot from here.” This was met by a groan from some of the group, notably Rondogh, which caused Vantas to scowl. ”Come on, now,” he admonished. ”You all knew you’d need to get your boots and your hands dirty here. Let’s get everything off the cart and figure out how to divide it among the animals. Shl’drei, do you mind helping me with the draft horses?”

Objectives

• Ask Sh’ron whatever questions you like about Dream Lake (be advised, he doesn’t know that much).
• Describe whatever prayers, observations, or offerings Shl’drei makes while at Immortal’s Clearing.
• Describe how he helps Vantas load up the stuff from the cart onto the animals (including Mittie; there’s plenty of stuff to carry!).