Spirit Altar and Bandit Shinanigans - RPLOG
Participants
Date
27/2/477
Log
Slight rain as the month of February beings to draw to a close. The Eastbank Forest is a shimmer with the light dusting of water the leaves are given. The announcement went far and wide in sweetwater, though may were cautioned not to make too great of a scene, spirits perfering quite and priacy over large gatherings. Besides, the forest wasn't the safest of places either. A few adventerious beings can be seen walking in through the trails, back and into the forest itself.
Ugh, water. Water means a soggy mane and an upset lion, but the celebration ahead was too interesting to pass up, especially considering how much he's interacted with the spirit folk. Dio walks through the forest, finding the densest and leafiest trees to walk under to avoid those awful baths from the heavens. Eventually, he makes it to the main gathering point and shakes his head violently, attempting to dislodge the water caught up in his bushel of hair.
Asher patters through the forest, gazing about at the dripping leaves and glad that he had changed back into his fancy cavalier outfit. The wide brimmed hat kept the drizzling rain off. the little canine wasn't certain what he was doing heading into the woods this late in the day, but someone had mentioned something about a party, and he felt good about that.
Through the forest sways a serpent, hearing something about thank yous and spirits, she looks eager to see what this is all about. She doesn't at all mind the rain, occasionally stopping just to let it hit her, as she proceeds to follow whoever she can find.
Brutus enters the clearing, his walking stick held crossbody in his hands as he makes his way into the clearing. He knew this was a spiritual gathering and not a militia patrol, but better safe than sorry, and besides, he already felt ridiculously out of place, dirtying up his finery on this ridiculous pilgrimage.
Ictus looks around quietly as he walks along the trail to the thank you and nods to the others as he spots them, "Hello Dio." he greets friendily though blinks at Bite when he spots the serpent, "Oh wow, long time no see Bite."
Siyu was told not to make too much of a scene, so he's only bringing somthing small. A small wagon that is. Enough to food and wine and drink anyone who shows up. He's expecting maybe two dozen people, so there's hot food on the magicked heaters in the back. Chilled beer, wine, and liquor. As well of course as enough hand tools and supplies to make the building easier. The small merchant wanting to make sure everyone is fed, happy, warm and secure as work starts. It is supposed to be a celebration after all, if a small one. The rain doesn't dampen his spirits, a tent can be erected from the sides of the wagon, and he's hopful people will show up.
Fenris saunters through the woods, enjoying the smell of the rain and it's gentle patter on his head and coat. There was something refreshing in the rain. He was looking forward to this, especially if any of the celebrated Spirits decided to make an appearance. What a story THAT would make!
Siyu spends 10000 Crown to: Food, party supplies, and building materials
The forest is still definately not safe as a pair of travellers, a Margay and a Persion come running back out passed the group coming in! They look as if they'd been stripped of just about anything valueable, an empty scabbard at the male Persion's side, depressions in the fur on the female Margay's fingers where rings were likely once held. They are babbling something about thieving creatures and strange people as they run toward the entering soul gifted.
:looks to those running past her and shakes her head, continuing to move along as she had been. "You shouldn't be such an easy target sssweetie." she hisses as she moves towards the friendly Ictus. "It has been a while, how are you doing?"
Dio waves towards Ictus, but his attention is most certainly caught by the pair of a few poor anguished beings. Not wanting to take any chances, Dio pulls out his buckler and sword in case the bandits might decide to initiate an ambush. "'old on' there lads!" He says, trying to get their attention. "What 're ya tryin' to say? We can 'elp ya if ya stand still 'ere."
"Oh dear!" Asher says, scrambling to swap the gems in his soul pendant. He could use a little bit of combat savvy right now. Good thing he had brought his saber along after all. He is glad to see Fenris there, having seen the big cat in combat. And Mister Siyu and Lord Brutus! At least he was among familiar faces. Even the rambunctious lion from last night was here!
Brutus takes up a position behind Dio, his staff held at the ready and mathemagics on the tip of his tongue. After what he'd survived at Mossy Stone, he wasn't afraid of these bedraggled strangers, per se, but he was rightfully wary. "Identify yourselves!" he calls out, his voice booming.
Siyu stops the wagon at the edge of the field. "Well come on, let's get the sides up and let the ran fall, hot food, good drink, everyone can have some and then we can get started." he chitters and looks up though. WHo is that that's coming towards everyone? He just sighs, "Bandits out here?" he looks back at all of the party supplies he's brought and sighs. Hopping off the wagon, he'll wave down the pair, "Come over! What happened?" he asks.
Ictus waves to Siyu as he spots him and blinks at the cart with a chuckle, he blinks again at the fleeing travellers and sighs, "Damn gops..." he hmms? at Bite and smiles, "I've been well, what about yourself?" as he switches his soulgems himself
Fenris blinks for a moment at the fleeing couple, then looks around to take in his compatriots on the road. He nods to Dio as the lion draws his weapons. "What happened?" he calls to the fleeing couple as he catches sight of so many others. He does a bit of a double take when he sees Brutus Blackback and Asher, the little Corgi he had met the other day.
The serpent shakes her head. "I've been okay at best but I'm fine. I think they're all making a little too much noise though. It's just going to attract someone." she hisses as she calls upon her dedication.
Sighting and called out by the soul gifted band, the pair stop, looking even more worried as Brutus seems to call them out! They look to Bite as she talks about being an easy target, then around to Dio as he offers help. They look to each other in confusion. Where these beings going to help them, or assult them. Then Ictus mentions Gops. Holding their hands in the air, less they be assulted by these roughens, the persion nods, "Gops, powerful ones, they took mine and my beloveds belongs when we were watching out, oh my grandfather's sword... I'll never be able to replace that." He says. The Margay stays close to the her other, mewling slightly but saying nothing, looking very scared. As Bite says they may attract someone though, they both go quiet, heads and eyes darting around.
Asher trots over to where Fenris is standing, remembering how the tiger had defended him last night. "What's a gop, Mister Fenris?" the tiny canine asks quietly, turning in a little circle to look at the surrounding woods.
Siyu lets out a soft little breath, "oh dear, it appears our celebration and our building will have to wait. Yon travellers are needing some help hm? Gops you say?" he inquires. Giving another sidelong glance to the wagon, and then to the clearing. Was going to be a lot of work anyway, even without adventuring. But he just sighs and bobs his head, "Suppose we should offer to help"
Brutus grunts, not quite satisfied with their answer. They had to springboard off of someone else's question, and they never did identify themselves, but nonetheless, he lowers his guard...though he also shoots Bite a dissatisfied look. The spirits could go take a physical walk off a metaphysical pier--he was damned if he'd let himself get taken unawares and have his countrymen attacked just so some spirits could feel more comfortable out here in these miserable rain-sodden boondocks.
Fenris says, "It's a slime monster, kid," Fenris says to Asher, "And I don't much like the idea that they are around with THIS particular party planned." He leads the corgi over to where he spotted Ictus Solacious. "Private Fenris, Sir," he says to the fox, "We met the other night? What can I do to help?""
"Gops?" Dio questions, raising an eyebrow. "'re ya sayin' that a big ol' gop robbed ya o' all yer stuff without tryin' to beat yer 'ead in?" How awfully confusing, but Dio was becoming quite curious of the strange situation. "Tell us a bit more 'bout what 'appened. As fer the rest o' us, we should get prepared fer combat."
Ictus nods to Bite at that and looks to the couple curiously, "I see... Powerful gops? That's unusual." he ponders a bit and looks around, "Well, we could take a look." he nods to Siyu in agreement at that, he blinks at Brutus though and tilts his head curiously, before he is interuppted bu Fenris, "Ah yes, I remember now. Sorry about that." he ponders a bit and looks to the couple, "Where were they?"
Bite stretches as her tentacles pull up into her clothes. "I think I'd rather keep going sssweetie, they're not leaving the forest a proper party can be sent out later. This was supposed to be some sort of thank you for someone important."
As the pair are offered help and assistance, they point down the path, to a fork, "We were walking down the left side when I suddenly noticed my sword was gone." Says the persion, "And while I stood in confusion over that, my bonded wasn't watching herself and... I haven't a clue in the world how it could have happened, but she says she felt something running over her hands, and when she looked her rings were gone! There was rustling in the underbrush, but without the only weapon we brought, we weren't about to try and give chase, not here." He says, his lifebond huddling a bit more closely to him as they both lower their hands. They look to Bite however, "Please, good lady, don't refuse us aid," he pleads a moment, looking over to Fenris and Ictus as they talk, then over to Siyu, "Yes, please help, Private Fenris did you say? A you called him sir?" he asks, looking to Ictus, "Then you must be a Solacious Noble, please Milord, I don't think I could ever replace my wife's rings nor my family sword, they have been in our respective families for generations." They beg. "We... we could offer a reward. It... couldn't be much." He says.
Fenris looks at the couple for a moment. "You never saw who took your things?" he asks incredulously, "But you felt them being taken? That seems very strange. . ."
Siyu gives a glance at Bite, "It is to celebrate the spirits, though all we'd celebrate would want to be charitable and help. I don't think they would mind helping." he digs around in his silks and pulls out his soul gem. Switching them out and going to find his blunderbuss in the wagon, "asides. If it's just gops it shouldn't take long...right?" he inquires. "The magicked hot pan should keep everything warm. Warm enough that it'll be all right to eat when we get back/. The rain will keep off of it and I only brought things that can travel a little."
Asher was growing increasingly confused. He had come out here expecting some sort of charity soiree and it was swiftly becoming a hunting party. "Perhaps, perhaps someone should stay here with the wagon?" he suggests, "to make sure none of the slime monsters come here?"
Rings and a sword... Metallic and shiny, attractive to certain things out there in the wilderness. And hey, who doesn't love a shiny object? "I really ain't too much fer spirits myself. Now catchin' a gop thief o' somethin' sounds pretty fun. However, yer claim that it was a gop without ever seein' the thief is quite interesting. I would 'ope ya ain't lyin' to us, tryin' to lead some gifted into an ambush as ya knew there would be a celebration with some goods to steal." The lion looks closely at the victims and rubs his chin, suddenly getting a wave of flooding his mind. "An' a gop that can steal a ring right off someone's finger... Excuse me fer my accusation, but it's quite 'ard to believe."
Brutus follows Siyu's lead, stowing his walking stick in a loop around his back while readying a firearm of his own. "Good Asher's right. With the serpent occupied with the spirits, should someone stay to watch over them?" In his offer is an unspoken implication of keeping the strangers in custody until their tale is verified, too...
Fenris felt a little guilty being suspicious of the couple, but they were dealing with 'Spirit Stuff' as he had come to thing of it. He had been bilked in his dealings with spirit callers and old one worshippers more than once in his dealings with them. Dio certainly had the right of it though. The tiger turns to Ictus, technically his commanding officer for orders.
Bite sighs and turns as she hears the word reward. "I'm not one who likes the loss of anything valuable, and I'd like to help you but I have my suspicions about you. He's right... sssweetie you can't say it was a gop without seeing it. Someone should stay with the wagon if this task is taken on, but you two should come with us. I'll help you."
Ictus looks to Bite and shakes his head, "The spirits have been around far longer than we know, they can wait a little longer." he hmms? at the two and blinks a bit "I see... That you didn't see them..." he looks to Fenris and nods before nodding again to Siyu, "Indeed." he looks to Asher and ponders, "Yes, someone should." he looks to Fenris as he waits for orders and ponders, "Alright, we'll help." he looks to the couple and nods to Bite, "Indeed, please take us to the spot where they were stolen."
Asher raises a tentative hand. "I could stay behind." he squeaks, a little bit afraid of the evening forest.
Siyu glances over at Asher and he chitters some, "Did you wish to stay and guard the wagon Asher?" he inquires, knowing he corgi has switched ideas of what he wishes to be, giving him the offer, "I'd appreciate it, as I did not want to lose all of hte supplies I broght"
With instructions to lead them to where it happened as awell as stay with them all, the pair do just that, leading them down to the fork in the road and down the left. Half way along the way though, Ictus can spot something moving through the brush, and Fenris tell, something isn't quite right with the situation. A moment later, Bite can notice something very near her, indeed a gop, but one that is smaller, and making no real attempt to hide itself as it attempts to riffle through her pockets to find what it can get. Siyu, Dio, and Brutus have yet to notice a thing. The pair continue walking, gesturing around, "It happened about here." Says the Persion.
Siyu keeps his blunderbuss ready and waiting, "So are gops normally that intelligent...I mean...to steal the rings off of...fingers and that sort of thing, I don't recall that happening..." he blinks as a simple gop will roll out, and being to haress Bite, "Well...that doesn't seem very smart on it's part..." he waits for impending FWOSH!
Walking along with the group, Dio wasn't aware of what was happening within the shadows. Perhaps feeling a bit bored or curious, the lion digs into his coat pocket and pulls out a few crown. Cocking his arm back, he tosses the coins forward onto the trail, wondering what might happen. Perhaps a bit of a profit loss, but this was for science!
Ictus nods to Asher as he stays behind and carefully makes his way with the couple, he blinks as he draws his sword at the movement in the brush and motions for quiet. He grabs a stick and pokes the hiding creature with it, hoping to scare the thing out of hiding
Bite glares briefly at the Gop before she removes herself with a step back and uses fire maths to set the creature on fire. The creature shrieks but, might be okay if it doesn't do anything else foolish for it's health. The serpent begins to walk away, watching for anymore pickpockets.
Fenris frowns. Something was not right here. Gops were not subtle creatures usually. The tiger watches the couple closely, his unease growing as they stop at the site of the attack. His gaze snaps to Bite as she launches off a bit of fire magic, but there seems to only be an ordinary gop.
Dio spends 50 Crown to: Throwing crown!
Brutus's fur stands on end as he sees a bolt of fire launched at nothing in particular. He can only vaguely see a gop retreating in the afterglow...damn this place! At least he could see those damn zombies and glass golems at Mossy Stone. He points his musket in its direction, but the poor gop seems to have no interest in bothering them any more. Anyone standing directly adjacent to him can hear him cursing most ignobly under his breath.
The Margay hisses a bit, "What a fine plan that was!" To which the Persion blows a whistle, "Well, it's worked so far! A trained Gop stealing people stuff for us. Come on, it was a brillent plan and more then a dozen have fallen for it so far!" he says back. At the whistle a few others pop out of the brush and trees, "Looks like we will have to deal with these in the more old fashioned way." Says the Margay as they draw close, archers and gop joining in!
Siyu glances over at the pair. Everyone in the group is armed to the teeth, "Really...really. Your plan was to pick a fight with and steal, from a group of a half dozen heavily armed soulless...really?" he tilts his head at the pair and ponders just unloading buckshot into them. But that wouldn't be very nice. Truth and justice after all. He just sighs and turns towards whatever is coming.
The Margay staggers back, bleeding from her wounds, growling, "I didn't sign up for this!" She calls out, the Persion yowling out as well, "Forget you all!" He calls, ducking deep into the forst under the cover of the more expendable archers and Gop. However, soon after the archers fall. It would be diffacult to keep track of those two as they find cover in the brush and trees. The Gop however, seems very angry, devistating those around it. Seems its 'training' was in more then just how to steal!
The serpent takes her time fighting the Gop, standing behind a rather beefy lion as she sets it on fire and moves forward occasionally to hit it with a rather poisonous stick. She also takes the time to tend to the poor lions wounds, as he's taking the brunt of the damage, but often finds herself treating others as well. The creature finally succumbs to everyones attacks, the lingering poison pushing it under.
Fenris roars as the archers and giant gop come out of hiding, drawing up a vaguely humanoid figure of writhing elemental force to fight for him before laying about at his foes with bolts of fire and a few well placed punches. This gop was quite the specimen! The tiger would have loved to have given chase when the two felines took flight, but with an enemy like this, there was just no way.
Siyu waves a hand, clearing gunpowder smoke from his eyes and letting out a sharp breath, "Damn scum...I'll try to get a sketch of them to the guards, hopefully they'll get caught tryign to come back into the city:"
Brutus roars, "I knew it! I KNEW it!" as he pants heavily, leaning against his hand cannon now planted in the ground. "Their story did not line up--and out here in these creator-forsaken place--attacking us?--I'll blast them to little pieces myself, damn them!" the large skunk booms between deep breaths, his cursing no longer subtle or hidden.
With the battle raging on, Dio holds out his shield and stands in front of the group like a wall of iron! Doing his best to protect the party, he runs about, deflecting blow upon blow while occasionally dishing out a few blows with his sword, magic, and even a slap or two from his shield. However, he certainly took quite a bit of damage, and without assistance from a few dulling potions and his friends, he surely might've fell. "Hoo," he says, trying to catch his breath, still working off the pain. "That was a nasty on'! An' it was just as fun as I thought it'd be."
Asher ears perk and he looks up from the little bowl of pretzels he had found to amuse himself. What was that? Maybe the others had found the thief? The little corgi thinks about running after his new friends to help, but he said he would stay with the wagon. So the little dog just stares out into the trees, hoping that everyone is alright.
Ictus growls a bit as the gop goes down and shakes his head as the perpatraitors get away, "Well... We should probably put out a bounty on them." he looks around at the others and sighs, "Hopefully the party goes better."
With itself battered and brused, the Gop pulls itself into the brush and toward the trees to tend to its wounds. The archers also make a quick getaway, as none seem to make to hold them where they are. It is unlikely they will be seen again soon, though perhaps at some point. At least they lost their trained thievery partner!
Hearing the commotion however, jogging along, Mirana joins with the group, looking about, though a bit late for the real fun. "Sweeties? What happened? I heard something and came to find out what was wrong." She looks a bit out of breath though, and puts her hands to her knees as she pants a moment. "Whew, if... if you are here for the small celebration, you are taking the wrong path." She says, having come from behind the group, "It is... down the right fork." she says, "And whos wagon is that back near the fork?" she asks.
Brutus grumbles. "Sod the party--I want their heads on a platter, and I want it now," he grouses. "Oh, by the creators! How could I be so stupid?" he adds with a sigh, picking up his cannon once more.
Siyu gives shouldes his weapon, the cannon and the blunderbuss, holding them both and he sighs, hearing someone come closer he flicks his ears and turns his head to see...Mirana! He chitters and he bows, or tries to bow, with two firearms on his shouilder. "Ahem, um, I...well...we were trying to help. Help a pair of...well, people, turned out to be bandits, but we wanted to help, and um...um..." he jostles his firearms, "The wagon is mine..."
Bite shakes her head. "We were helping someone but it doesn't mater rght now, let's go and enjoy ourselves sssweetie." she hisses, smiling and huggnig Mirana as she sees her.
Fenris laughs as Mirana puffs her way up to the group. "Well," he says, "You missed the action, Mirana, but perhaps you can lead us in some fun! Let's get back to the wagon! I believe Siyu has provided enough food for an army!"
Ictus pats Brutus on the shoulder, "At least we weren't robbed..." he looks to Mira though and nods in agreement with Siyu, "Yeah... No good deed goes unpunished apperantly."
While Dio didn't seem to have any wounds to worry about, he took quite the beating from multiple sources. Sore and bruises is the name of the game, but it wasn't anything a good night's rest and a few mugs of ale wouldn't solve. "O' is that so?" He chuckles, leaning down to sit his rear upon the floor with an 'oof' to relax a little. "They're probably long gone by now. We'll report 'em to the guard, see if we can't get a picture drawn o' 'em. They'll be lickin' their wounds fer awhile."
Asher sits on the back of the wagon, waiting anxiously for the others to return. The little corgi is even more worried now that the sounds of battle have died away. . .
Mirana looks over Dio's wounds a moment before handing him a pouch which must be full of some crushed herbs along with a very small amount of some ground up powder, "Here you do sweetie, this will help any pain you are in." She says, before hugging back onto Bite, nuzzling to her softly, "Good to see you again, and hope you feel welcome to the event." She says, "I hope you all feel welcome, now, lets go collect that cart and get to it, shall we?" She asks, adhearing herself to Ictus, though she shakes her head, "Bandits... praying on the will to help now, just going to have to be more careful." She says, "Thank you all for clearing that up, and yes, I'll be happy to take statements and have someone attempt to help with identification when we get back to town." She says.
Brutus continues his fussing, although with the promise of a bounty of food, it seems to be come less and less with each step. "Well, if justice will be served eventually...I suppose salvaging this night with a fine repast would be...acceptable."
Siyu will wander back with the others and he waves over to Asher, "lo Asher! How are you doing, managed with the cart all right?" the rodent asks as he puts away his guns, and looks up at the rain, "Nothing untoward happen? It appears as if those two really were bandits." he'll get the wagon ready to move again.
Asher stands and waves his big, floppy hat at the others as they come around the bend in the path. "Is everyone alright?" he calls, "I'm afraid I helped myself to some snacks while you were gone."
The serpent nods and giggles at the nuzzle. "Well I'll try, I really would like to know what it's all about but I'll have to see for myself." she hisse and proceeds off to the right fork.
Ictus nuzzles Mira a little when she attaches herself to him, smiling a bit before he nods at that, "Yeah, sounds like a plan." he looks to Brutus and chuckles with a nod before he waves to Asher, "We'll be fine, lets go though." as he heads down the right path with Bite
"We're fine, kid," Fenris laughs, seeing the little dog with his oversized hat. "Let's get that wagon to the party, huh?" the tiger says as he starts hiking down the correct road. A party was sounding even better now than it had earlier!
Dio happily accepts the pouch and rises to his feet, dusting off his rear with a few pats of his hands. "Thank ya, lass. Ain't everyday ya see a trained gop with such power. Should make an army outta 'em." Opening the pouch, Dio begins using the powder and rolls his shoulders, getting out some soreness before joining up with the others in an eager attempt to replace lost calories.
At the party itself, it is indeed a small gathering, aside from those just arriving with Dio, Ictus, Bite and crew, there are but ten beings, most working with wood and stone to create a small altar of sorts. Mira giggles a bit as she leans over to give Ictus a kiss, "Well, feel free to open up the food on the wagon Siyu! I'm sure beings are hungry. I thought it would be a nice touch if we had a place to put offerings to the spirits in a quiet place where they might be noticed. This is one of the first locations the spirits found us after all." She says, blushing a bit, "And the place that myself, Ictus, and Selena made our pacts." She says, many of the beings gathered nodding along, and lining up at the wagon to see what can be had!
Siyu nods his head and he smiles as he sets the wagon and undoes the sides. Working to make a sort of tent around and over the wagon to at least keep people dry. Soon the food is out in the back, drink, beer wine and liquour out. Crude disposable clay bowls, hearty stews, pastas, the sort of thing that's rich, and filling, but can travel and remain heated. He grins a bit, "I also have some tools and supplies, I am not sure what materials you all wanted to use"
Asher patters in alongside the wagon, his broad-brimmed cavalier hat firmly back on his head. "An altar, Lady?" he asks, "Are these spirits gods?" Asher has only heard the vaguest stories about the Spirits and Old ones that had recently revealed themselves in Sweetwater. He helps himself to a steaming bowl of stew and a stein of beer. Having Siyu manning the food meant that no one would mistake him for a lost child!
Bite looks to the alter being built and tilts her head. "And what being deserves this meager building?" she hisses as she tilts her head. She looks around at the gathering and shakes her head again, before she pulls free a pocket of crowns and puts it by the alter. She then proceeds to move to the cart to stuff her face with meat.
Bite spends 10000 Crown to: Offering
Fenris smiles and accepts a little bit of food, then wanders up to watch the workers finishing the small pavilion. "Why?" he suddenly asks, turning to face Ictus and Mirana. "I don't mean that harshly as it sounds," he amends, "But what made you dedicate yourselves to the Spirits?" He doesn't mention names, who knows, the Mother and the Warrior might show up without being called tonight.
Dio looks towards the alter and gets hit with a wave of memories. "Indeed it was, lass," he confirms, nodding his head and moving closer. "'round this spot was the first time I ever came into this town. First thing I see is spirit o' two! What a welcomin' party," he laughs, turning around to view the cart o' goods just within reach. "Ain't too long 'til it's been an entire year, an' what a time it's been. Guess ya could say this was quite the traveling destination." Eager to fill his stomach, Dio nears the cart, peering through the various good and wondering what he should try first.
Ictus says, "pose nods to Fenris and chuckles at Dio, "They aren't easy to train I imagine." he smiles at Mira's kiss and returns it with a nod, "Indeed, sounds like a good idea." he looks over the food and chuckles more, grabbing a bowl of stew to munch on before looking to Asher, "They are like gods I suppose..." he looks at Bite and shakes his head, "No one being really... There are many spirits." he hmms? at Fenris and shakes his head, "Why? Because I wanted the power to protect other beings from the Old Ones influence." he hmms? at Dio and chuckles with a nod, "Indeed.""
Hopefully they had planned for Brutus's attendance. Platter in hand, he pucks over...well...virtually everything, finally emerging behind a pile of bowls heaped beyond capacity with pasta, a large tureen of soup, and a couple cuts of meat. So equipped, he wanders in search of his diminutive new friend.
