The next morning came as the sun sat on the ridge of the mountains overhead.
The humble town of Domville sat quietly with a few occupants stirring in the crimson lilac sunlight.
Farmers in particular were the early risers in these parts.
Crislye lives with her family of six on a ten acre farm.
Her mother, father, uncle and two brothers.
Normally she would be helping with tilling the land and so forth. However, Crislye found her head buried in a pillow, envisioning events from the past..
Her times with Arther. At this point, It has been roughly two weeks since Arther's death.
Yet Crislye still mourned deeply for him.
It was just so sudden, so unreal.
Her family is quite aware of her loss, but is uncertain on how to approach Crislye on such a delicate subject.
Her father was the straightforward type, so he simply steered clear and let his wife carefully handle these things.
She visited Crislye everyday, doing her best to take her mind off of her tormenting sorrow.
Crislye has definitely improved since the funeral. She spent the first day expressing a raging torrent of emotions. She was punching hay bales in the barn, sending them to concave and collapse.
Tears shed as she did this..
To take her mind off the sorrow, she pulverized multiple bales with her bare hands until her fists bled. The result of growing up on a farm has given her unusual physical strength. Outstanding strength did run in the family as well, so it wasn't to unusual within their social circle.
In this particular day, she passively glanced out the window of her room and caught a glance at a small shape in the sky above.
"?"
It caught her interest, causing her to approach the window and squint her eyes up at the silhouette.
Not long after getting dressed in her nimble sunset gown, she made her way outside. Crislye continued looking up as the shadow in the sky flickered red briefly.
"Is that?" She muttered to herself as the shape retreated towards the outskirts of town, Crislye then gave chase, rushing out the front door.
Once Crislye reached the outside perimeter of her family property, the shape suddenly descended towards her.
*SSHHEEW!*
A ruby body was suddenly cutting through the air towards her at extreme velocity.
"Neirlylth?"
Whipping past then gracefully landing nearby, a fairly large red reptile with silver bracelets and a choker appeared before her.
"Took you long enough.." Neirlylth remarked as Crislye tilted her head in a perplexity.
"Wait.. Were you trying to get my attention earlier?"
Neirlylth jumped down to Crislye's elevation. "Well, I can't just walk up to the door and knock. Your family doesn't know that you associate with dragons."
"Fair enough.. I honestly don't know how my parents would react if they found out." Crislye said as she struggled with a follow-up question. "So.. how have you taken the loss?.."
Neirlylth could easily hear the pain in Crislye's words. To some degree, Neirlylth understood that this must've a painful experience for Crislye.
Therefore, Neirlylth figured it would be imperative for Crislye to hear what she has to say. "That's the thing.. I don't believe Arther is dead.."
Crislye eyes widened in disbelief. "What!?" She suddenly became mildly angry as she kicked the dirt in disgruntlement. "Don't mess with me Neirlylth! This isn't funny!"
Neirlylth sighed with an amber squint. "Relax yourself, this time I'm not fooling. Don't ask me how I know.. I just.. do.."
A moment of silence was exchanged between them within the shade of the trees as a soft breeze whipped by. Crislye gave a deep sigh and raised her eyes that now glistened with hope.
"Okay.." Crislye's voice became steadfast. "Let's say you're right; where is he? Why wouldn't he come looking for us? Wouldn't he want to reassure us that he's alive and well? The Arther I know would do just that."
Neirlylth paced back and forth as she then explained. "Something bothered me when you humans had your farewell ritual."
"You mean.. the funeral?" Crislye asked with a dismal expression.
"Yes, didn't you find it odd that we haven't seen his body at any point? Even dragons give one last glimpse of the deceased before bidding farewell."
Crislye's heart raced in anxiety after hearing Neirlylth say that. "Please.. Neirlylth.."
Regardless, Neirlylth continued as she continued to pace about in deep deliberation.
"Not to mention.. The story of his alleged death occurred at the same time when a group of powerful dragons were roaming the skies that night. Crislye, you know Arther far more than I do, you know he wouldn't be so clumsy to slip and fall to his untimely death."
Endless questions emerged in Crislye's eyes as numerous thoughts crossed her mind. Nevertheless she responded with uncertainty in her breath. "What are you getting at?"
"I believe the chairman of Cravenhearth covered up the events to draw attention away from the real story, whatever it may be. They probably didn't want the people of Domville to harbor anymore disdain towards dragons."
"So? How does this lead to Arther still being alive?"
Neirlylth returned her gaze skyward at the morning sun. "That's what I'm hoping to figure out.. I can't say why, I can just feel it."
Crislye's eyes hardened with strength as her voice grew firm.
"Okay.. let me help you, Neirlylth. I'll ask around town if they noticed anything strange lately."
Neirlylth saw this as ideal, considering that dragons in Domville make the people generally uneasy. Especially if one would be going around asking questions about a recently deceased child.
"Alright.." Neirlylth said with a nod. "We'll meet up later and share what we find.
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As the sun continued to rise, Auron awoke with slight apprehension written on his face.
His blue back arched up out of the cozy bed as he proceeded to hop off to the floor.
*CLACK!* Landing firmly the wooden floor, he realized he's becoming quite accustomed to his new form.
Grabbing and putting on his red scarf, he scuttled to the door and made his way down the spiraling staircase.
He glanced about, noticing that Vassirth was nowhere to be seen.
"Vassirth!?" He called out with slight concern in his voice.
"I guess she's out?.." Auron aimed his eyes at the front door. He grew tired of being cooped up and strongly desired some fresh air.
Creeking the door open, the sun flooded the doorway with bright light and the warmth soothed his face.
Auron stepped out into the front yard which was a rolling grassy field that overlooked Domville in the distance.
There were other nearby properties which also shared a few acres between them. These other houses were massive with decorated fences, blocking entry with metal gateways. Lavish flowers of various colors led up to the entrance of these Victorian style houses.
Oddly enough, Vassirth's home was rather simplistic with open fields of grass and occasional trees littering the property. A lone gravel road winded downhill, linking towards these other luxurious properties.
Vassirth's house was on the border of Domville with a vast and nearly endless forest as a back yard. Compared to other houses, It appeared to be the black sheep of the flock.
"Hah~ Amazing.." Auron said under his breath as he swept his gaze about his surroundings.
He raised his foreleg as he was about to step forth into the nearby district. Auron cautiously approached the nearest property closest to him.
He looked up with his mouth agape at the extravagant homesteads with brick and motor walls surrounding the home.
"It's like a fortress.. I've never been on this side of Domville.." He mumbled to himself.
Walking along, he spotted a small group of children playing on the cobblestone streets.
"Ha!" For a moment, Auron was about to rush towards the group and introduce himself.
But then a thought entered his mind as he raised his clawed hands to his face. He knows that he must be out of place with his appearance in an area like this.
He resisted the urge to socialize with great difficulty, knowing deep down these children might treat him with disdain or even run in fear.
Auron decided to turn and walk away as quickly as possible.
"!!" However, he was greeted by a young woman with a blank expression on her face.
Her eyes were clouded and queer looking. Auron held his breath as turmoil was setting in. The young woman was in a lavish dress that flowed gracefully in the breeze. She appeared to be roughly 17 years old, judging by her height and matured features.
The woman smiled and politely bowed before him. "Apologies sir, sorry to have startled you."
Troubled by this girl's sudden appearance, Auron responded with turbulence. "Y-you're not afraid of me?"
"Why would I be?" The woman smiled like an innocent daisy, unaware - if not perfectly honest in her statement.
The woman proceeded to chuckle as she raised her hand to her lower lip. "Hehe! You sound so young! Why would one fear a small child?"
"What's going on?" Auron thought as the woman kneeled before him.
"May I ask you something?"
"Uh.. sure."
"You sound like you're crawling on the ground.. Isn't that uncomfortable? Hehehe!" She chuckled innocently until Auron became aware of a stunning realization.
This girl.. is blind..
"STAND BACK, DEMON!" A voice resounded from overhead as Auron looked up to see a glimmer descending from the sun.
Out of reflex, Auron jumped backwards, skidding, avoiding a elderly man brandishing a rapier. He was dressed in a dark blue tuxedo with a red tie in his grey ponytail.
"Stay away from lady Raltz! Fowl creature, how dare you get anywhere near such a innocent girl!"
"Sir Kaine, please relax, he is but a child!"
"Lady Raltz.. forgive me, but with your eyes as they are, you misunderstand the situation. You were talking to a dragon!"
Shock entered her face. "W-what!? But he sounds and feels just like any small child.."
"Feels?" Auron thought to himself.
"Aye, malady.. One mustn't be so careless."
Auron glanced at the ground where Kaine landed. There was an X-shaped mark carved into the cobblestone road from his earlier ambush. His blood ran cold, that could've been him if he failed to dodge.
"Hold on.. I didn't do anything to deserve such treatment! If you hit me with that attack, you could've killed me!"
Kaine let out a sinister cackle.
"That was the intent! Your kind are only welcome in certain areas, nowhere near this side of town!"
"B-but I live around here!" Auron cried aloud urgently.
Kaine became flabbergasted "What!?"
"I live in that house atop the hill." Auron pointed at his house in the distance with his outstretched talon.
Vains erupted on Kaine's forehead. "Inconceivable!"
"But It's true.."
Fury started to set in as Kaine began clutching his rapier with a grimace. "How could the mayor let such monsters live among us!"
Kaine sheathed his sword and assumed a battle stance. He appeared to be a master of some kind of quick-draw style. "I'll vanquish you.. and every last one of your disgusting and repugnant kind.."
Auron didn't necessarily understand why this man harbored such disdain, but he could sense his malice. It was something he never felt before..
Actually.. He does recall feeling this kind of pressure before, even though it was for a brief moment..
As Kaine was about to lunge forward, a blue blur materialized next to him, a talon rested on top of his sword's hilt.
Fear set in as he sensed a being of unbelievable strength emerge next to him. It was as if the devil himself suddenly appeared with quiet rage staring back at him. With eyes embodied like dark sapphire nightmares, Vassirth exchanged glances at the seasoned warrior.
"V-Vassirth?" Auron stuttered as he laid eyes on the figure next to Kaine.
Vassirth glared back at Kaine with a stern expression. She could sense that this man was exceptionally skilled, but was still nothing compared to her strength.
"Old man.. That's my son you were about to attack.. Consider yourself lucky, If you so much as scratched him, I wouldn't guarantee that you would still be breathing right about now."
Kaine quickly dashed backwards with eyes almost bulging out of his skull from a mixture of intimidation and disgust.
After a few tense seconds passed, Kaine let out a relaxed sigh. "I.. stand down.. I'm no match for a monster such as yourself."
"A wise decision." Vassirth calmly responded as Kaine turned away and approached Lady Raltz.
Lady Raltz was left dumbfounded upon witnessing such a scene. "How peculiar.. It's not like sir Kaine back down from a fight.."
After Kaine and lady Raltz left the scene, Auron turned to Vassirth with amazement in his eyes as she rushed up to her. "That was amazing, Vassirth! I had no idea that you were so fast!"
Vassirth returned a cold expression to Auron.
His exuberance retreated into anxiety upon catching her displeased guise aimed at him. Vassirth proceeded to sternly voice her disgruntled concern. "Auron.. What are you doing out here? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for a drakling to be wandering around alone?"
Auron hung his head in shame. "S-sorry.." He said with remorse in his voice.
Suddenly shade rested on his back, the shadow from Vassirth's wing extended over Auron in consolation.
"Just.. Don't be so careless.."
".."
Vassirth and Auron made their way back to the house, without exchanging a word between them. But Auron was overwhelmed with guilt, feeling a pressure exuding from Vassirth.
Upon reaching the property, Vassirth spoke over her shoulder towards the small reptile behind her. "Auron.. what is it you desire?"
"H-huh?"
Vassirth slowly spun around and clarified herself. "What I mean is: What are your dreams?"
Auron's eyes flickered with cautious excitement. "Well.. I always wanted to visit far away places.."
A soft yet sharp smile emerged on Vassirth's face. "I see.. What places do you have in mind?"
Auron let out a deep inhale as Vassirth returned an inquisitive gaze.
"I wish to visit everything! Places like Yorda citadel and Foust Magi tower!-"
Vassirth raised her claw to her chin as Auron's eyes shined with excitement as he continued his spiel.
Vassirth gave a witty remark in return. "So, what your saying is that you wish to immediately endanger yourself just after I warned you about wandering out alone?"
"Uhh.. uhh.." Auron couldn't gather his thoughts to give an appropriate answer. "Well.. I don't wish to endanger myself.. I just wish to explore the world."
"And the world is a dangerous place, no?" Vassirth said as she spun back and made her approach to the house with Auron in toe.
Auron then dashed in next to her and voiced his thoughts. "Yeah, but that's still my dream!"
"Interesting.. how did you plan to accomplish this beforehand? What was your father's thoughts on this dream of yours?"
"Um.. he didn't really approve.."
"I can't blame him. On face value, it's a rather pointless aspiration."
Auron shuffled and kicked the dirt. There was another reason for his want to explore the world. Something he always kept to himself for so long.
He was hesitant, but he found the courage to express it to Vassirth somehow as he stroked the scarf over his shoulder. "There is another reason.. It was something my mother always wanted to do.. But with her illness, she couldn't."
Vassirth rested her clawed hand on the door handle of their home. She contemplated what Auron said and felt it stir within her heart as she continued her thought regardless.
"Regardless of your reasons, parents worry about their children's lives and futures. It's a common thing in human cultures to live a safe and free life."
"However.. Dragons live dangerous lives with many hardships in their path. We are hated, we are hunted and killed by many beings, not just humans. Are you willing to undertake such hardships?"
Auron tilted his head. "It's really like that for our kind?"
"Did you already forget your little encounter with that elderly man earlier?"
"Oh.."
Vassirth took her hand off the knob and turned back to Auron. She could sense his apprehension as his small body fell back into a sitting position.
"Come this way." Vassirth said as she walked behind the house where a cliffside overlooked a vast forest at the edge of the Domville's territory.
Vassirth sat on the ground and spoke wistfully with Auron next to her. "Before you consider doing any of that, you must undergo training."
"Training? What kind of training?-"
*SHIFF!*
At that very instant, Vassirth moved with athletic grace as she swiped the air past Auron's cheek. Her movements were so fast, it left a lingering displacement of air where she was sitting before.
Auron was paralyzed with fear as her eyes met his in a frozen position.
Her words reached his senses as she stepped back. "If you wish to explore the world, you'll need at least a few months of combat training. But before that.." Vassirth swept her gaze at the horizon as Auron found himself doing the same.
"You'll have to learn to fly."
"F-fly!?" Auron quickly responded with turbulence in his voice as Vassirth picked up on his tone.
"Yes, is that a problem? Wouldn't that be a good thing to learn?"
"-No! I mean- yes? That's not a problem- maybe!?"
Auron tried to put on a façade of joy as he struggled to answer, but was obviously bad at being convincing in the slightest.
Vassirth then tried to probe Auron for answers. "What's wrong with you? Shouldn't you be overjoyed? Arcadians are masterful flyers, so you needn't be nervous."
Auron tried to steady his breath and gather his thoughts before answering. "The thing is.. I'm actually terrified of flying."
Vassirth cracked a smile with a chuckle in her words saying. "Are you serious?"
"Why would I lie?" Auron replied with his hand resting on his shoulder.
"So you're afraid of heights?"
"Not necessarily.. I'm fine with heights if I have sturdy footing.. But the thought of falling is.. something that frightens me.."
Vassirth let out a calm breath, responding not long after. "Are you gonna let fear enslave you?"
"!!" Auron struggled to find a response. "I'm.. afraid of falling to my death.."
"Hehahahaha!" Vassirth couldn't resist letting out a burst of laughter as Auron returned a look of disturbance.
Vassirth apologized immediately after her laughing fit. "Sorry!.. I just find it amusing hearing an Arcadian say something as ridiculous as that!"
Vassirth veered her eyes back towards Auron with a lilac glint. "Do not worry about such trivial manners, Auron. You'll pick up on it relatively quickly after I'm finished with you!"
Her voice resonated with both pride and confidence, knowing full well on how to approach such a troublesome child.
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Meanwhile, Crislye searched the streets of Domville, asking individuals if they experienced anything suspicious in the past few days.
Needless to say, nothing stood out among the residents of Domville.
However one particular salesman expressed his encounter with a half-elf man in a red hunting garb. He claimed the man was rather keen and quick-witted when it came to understanding the nature of dragons.
Supposedly, this man is taking temporary residence in the town somewhere.
"Could he be a lead? He's the only thing that people are making notice of. This guy apparently frequents restaurants and inns, seeking 'good meals', whatever that means. Others claimed that he seems to talk to himself sometimes.."
Crislye then searched for the hunter in red within these areas, but to no avail.
She moans in defeat in the town square with fatigue setting in. "Geez, where is this guy? I can't imagine missing a guy who dresses in a supposed flashy red outfit."
She made her way to the smithing district where blades and tools were foraged. Crislye was only checking this area because there was on last place that served food, the 'smith's grindstone'.
It was a rather crude establishment with a workman's ascetic. Worn wooden tables with countless cuts and gashes from years of abuse.
A flirtatious heavy set tavern wench, beckoning the hearty men with freshly brewed ale.
This was certainly no place for a child like Crislye, but she considered to only take a peek inside the window.
"!!"
To her disbelief, she sees a man matching the salesman's description.
Red clothes, pointed ears and long silver hair..
Interestingly, he appeared to be waiting for service until a drunk patron began to hassle him. "Hey dagger-ears!.. A little far from the woods- hic!- hey!?~"
The drunkard could barely stand, let alone talk coherently.
Regardless of the man's rude and vulgar behavior, Vincent remained civil as he calmly gave a response. "Excuse me, but I'm waiting to try the house special, so if you don't mind-"
"-house special, you say?" The man began gurgling phlegm in his throat.
*Ptooey!* a loogie crashed into Vincent shoulder from the disrespectful drunkard. He seemed proud of his actions as a smile emerged from ear to ear. "That's the house special for half-breeds such as yourself!"
Vincent returned a ice-cold glare, not long after he began to laugh gently. "Hehehe! How amusing. I certainly wasn't expecting such repugnant behavior from townspeople that have a consort with dragons."
A nearby man responded to his words with snide. "Don't misunderstand us. We wish we had nothing to do with those vile monsters! Let alone a filthy half-breed who thinks he can just waltz in here and expect decent treatment."
Vincent sighed with an innocent shrug. "Oh well.. I suppose this is what I get for pursuing unique tastes. I'll just take my leave then."
"Oh, you ain't goin' anywhere!" The drunkard demanded. "You elf bastards make me sick with your pompous attitude!"
Vincent sighed with uninterested annoyance. "~Must we really do this?"
Crislye watched through the window with baited breath as the group of men surrounded Vincent. She realized that the man in red was in serious danger.
Without hesitation, Crislye rushed to the door with the intent to aid the man in red clothes.
However..
In the few seconds it took for her the round the corner and enter the building.
All the men who were harassing the hunter were either unconscious, or left trembling in fear on the floor.
"Eh?" Crislye looked on with her jaw agape. "W-what happened?" She muttered as the man in red slowly looked her way with puzzlement.
"What's a child doing in a place like this?" Vincent asked as he adjusted his cuffs and brushed dust off his clothes.
He then calmly approached Crislye as her heart raced in anxiety from the man who now seemed exceedingly skilled in her eyes.
Vincent stopped before her and gave a pat on the head of the blonde tomboy. "Run along, girly. This is no place for you."
Crislye took this as an insult and proceeded to argue with Vincent. "H-hey! Don't talk down to me!"
Vincent smirked in a wily fashion.
"Relax, country girl! I'm only looking out for your well-being."
"Grr.."
Vincent then began to walk out of the establishment as Crislye gave chase shortly after. "Hey! Hold on! I have something to ask you!"
Vincent halted his steps as Crislye questioned him. "You're not from around here, are you?"
"What gave that away?" Vincent sarcastically responded.
Crislye corrected her composure. "What I mean is, what brought you here? Were you hunting something? Or someone?"
"Perhaps. Not like I would tell you." Vincent said as he began walking with Crislye following.
"Were you hunting dragons?" Crislye asked as she kept pace behind him.
"Now what would make you think that?" Vincent calmly replied.
Crislye continued. "Because I heard rumors about a group of rogue dragons were in the area several days back. So I figured, you must know something about it since you appeared at the same time."
Vincent stopped in his place as he let out a solemn tone. "Girly, you are barking up the wrong tree."
Vincent then continued to walk as Crislye pursued. "B-but! You have to know something!"
The voice of Artemis entered Vincent's mind, snickering in amusement. "Hmhmhm. So Vincent, what do you plan to tell her? She may not have any evidence on you, but she does strongly suspect you!"
Vincent returned some thoughts to Artemis as Crislye continued to question him with his mind preoccupied.
"That's just the thing. How does this girl know anything about the rogue dragons? That information wasn't disclosed to the people of Domville, only the higher ups of Cravenhearth were aware of their presence."
"So.. You're curious about her, aren't you?" Vincent's mind echoed at Artemis.
"Only to how she acquired such information."
Vincent halted his steps as both him and Crislye found themselves at the edge of the farmlands. He turned and opened his mouth to speak.
"Where exactly did you hear this rumor of rogue dragons?"
Crislye retreated slightly, wondering if Neirlylth was telling the truth. But she also wondered why would Neirlylth lie about that? What would she accomplish by telling such a lie?
Vincent continued. "Are you friends with a dragon by chance?"
Crislye wasn't sure if it was wise to tell this man about Neirlylth. But was willing to tell him without describing unnecessary details.
"Well.. I did hear about it from a dragon. She seems to believe that these dragons are responsible for someone who died recently.."
"She?" Vincent thought to himself.
As Crislye continued explain, Vincent became somewhat intrigued.
Her words became firm. "I wasn't sure I believed her at first. But she sounded.. confident that the person who died is still alive somehow.."
"Interesting.." Vincent thought as he questioned her with curiosity in his voice. "Is this dragon a close friend with the deceased?"
Crislye was somewhat taken aback by the question. Her mind rushed to conclusions of intimate thoughts. Thoughts like: "Is he asking if Arther and Neirlylth are!?- An item, or something!? He can't be!"
Her expression became visibly flushed with both embarrassment and frustration. Vincent could easily see this and became further amused from her perturbed posture.
As this was occurring, Vincent discussed his thoughts with Artemis. "As I suspected. Judging by this girl's reaction, Arther must've been friends with a dragon who has ties with the higher ups from Cravenhearth. Furthermore, she must've subconsciously became soul linked with him."
Artemis pulsed with surprise in her voice. "Soul linked!? A dragon can do that with a human!?"
"It's not unheard of, but it's exceedingly rare. Surely a weapon of your age is aware of certain stories, yes?"
"I did hear of a few, but I thought they were nothing more than rumors and stories."
This conversation took place very quickly within his thoughts, which was actually a few seconds exchanged between Vincent and Artemis.
Not long after, Crislye spoke up with agitation in her voice as she stepped forward. "H-hey! What are you asking me!? What do you mean by close friends!?"
"Hm?" Snapping back to reality, Vincent returned his attention to Crislye who was waiting for his response.
Vincent snickered with mockery in his breath as he kneeled forward. "What's wrong? Are you perhaps jealous of his dragon friend?"
Crislye quickly turned her head away, hiding her embarrassment. "N-no! You don't know what you're talking about!"
She then returned her gaze to where Vincent was standing, however he was nowhere to be seen.
Crislye looked about frantically, wondering how he disappeared so quickly. She then punished herself by slapping her own cheeks with her palms in self-hatred.
"Why did I let that guy escape me!? Stupid! Stupid! Geez, he's so fast too.."
She then psyched herself up and began rushing in a random direction in search of Vincent.
Atop a nearby building, Vincent observed Crislye from below as she searched about.
"Things have gotten a tad bit complicated.." Vincent said as he watched the little tomboy in the sunset blouse run about frantically.
"Indeed it has." Artemis agreed with a sigh in her voice. "Should we do something about it, Vincent?"
Vincent folded his arms in deep thought. "Not our concern."
Artemis chuckled in response. "I expected nothing less from you-"
"-However." Vincent chimed in. "I am interested in this dragon friend of Arther's. Maybe we should go pay him a visit and ask him personally."
Artemis pulsed with questionable amusement. "A-are you serious!? Why the hell are you prying in a child's personal affairs!? That's so like you, Vincent, not understanding people's personal lives."
Vincent huffed with a shrug. "Hey now, are you not interested in the former-human child who is soul linked with a dragon? Does that not strike you as interesting?"
Regardless of Artemis's protest, she knew she wasn't able to stop Vincent. No matter how hard she tried, Artemis was bound to serve her Oathkeeper, regardless of her disagreements on the matter.