~*~ The tide was coming in. Inch my inch, the breaks came further and further up the beach, trailing their white foam across the sands. Print by print, they wore away the trail that stretched out behind the she-wolf. The creature of ivory and dusken hues paced her way silently across the beach. She?d visited the ocean many times since coming to Seracia. It was something he missed greatly from her old days. Somehow it had always seemed to her that the methodical lull and roar of the waves was like the heartbeat of the earth itself. There was nothing so beautiful nor so terrible as the vast sheet of water, yet today it was at peace. Though the sky was banded with watercolor clouds and the scent of a summer storm was in the air, the world was gripped in the calm that always came before. As with all her roaming through the southern kingdom, Crusade had a companion with her. Today she was escorted by the king himself. She?d met him near the dens and asked if he wouldn?t mind joining her on the stroll. Since then she?d said very little ? preferring to allow the world to speak around her. But now her attention turned once more to the king. He seemed a bit thoughtful, and it wasn?t hard to guess why. Crusade was neither blind nor deaf to the doings of pack life. There was a pair here ? Segar and Ghost ? who were obviously very much in each other?s good opinion ? and now just recently the male had gotten his ear quite badly torn ? no, not just torn ? cut and with great precision too. Punishment for some sort of offense? There were no other wounds on the male?s body so obviously he?d stood and taken it. What had he done? Hard to say. Crusade could only make guesses in the dark and she never dwelt long on matters that seemed too much like gossip. However, if she had to make a wager, she?d say that the pair had mated without permission. Spring Fever and all that. It was a common enough offense to be dealt with, when the rules stated that pairs had to inform the Alpha before making their mateship official. The old she-wolf glanced the male over. (She'd been careful to walk along at his right side so that she was closest to the sea, and he was closest to her good eye) She took in his stride and his balance, his features and his gaze. Well, she was close at least. And she hoped it didn't way too hard on the King's mind. It was a shame to see him as anything other than the cordial figure of authority she'd seen at the border. Perhaps Crusade owed something to the intuition of a she-wolf and the wisdom that comes with old age, but there was more than that. She?d always had an understanding of what it meant to be the Alpha ? the Leader ? the one who had to make the lonely decisions. Perhaps that was why she?d fallen in love with one. Crusade continued striding along in silent pondering. One thought led to another in the confines of her head, and when she opened her maw to speak, her words seemed to come from somewhere quite distant, ?Allow me to put you a question, M?Lord. ?Have you ever seen war?? ~*~

He had awakened early that morning, finding the Lady Crusade to already be hovering about the den site, drinking in all that was Seracia. A smile would flicker to his lips as he stretched quickly and went to her side. He'd meant only to say hello and then be on his way, but when she'd invited him on a stroll, the King could hardly refuse her. There was something about her that was comfortable, almost.. familiar. He enjoyed talking to her, and words came quite easily in her presence - so unlike some of the others he talked to on a regular basis. Obligingly he'd followed beside her, taking cues as to which direction she intended to travel by the positioning of her paws and the easy stride that carried her forth. He had to admit he was a bit vacant during this stroll, particularly because of events that had passed a day or two ago - how long he could not seem to remember. Segar wore his scar well, and it was doing its job at reminding both he and the King of his wrongdoing - and anyone else, for that matter. However, it pained the King to see him marred as he was, even though the monarch had done what was necessary. He supposed a warning could have been given, but had feared it would show him as weak - without a backbone. The diplomat could not allow himself to be seen like that even for a second, or his crown would certainly fall to another. It was these things that would filter through his mind as the two of them strolled at a leisurely pace along the beach. The waves drifted in and out, in and out. Monotonous as they were, the King found some comfort in their predictability. He found much comfort in it, actually, as this was his favorite place to mull things over, to free his mind of constant labor. She would pose a question, serving to remind him that he was not alone on this particular walk, and had a guest he really ought to be paying attention to. His brow would raise slightly. "I have," The answer was simple enough, but the monarch was preparing to elaborate. "War brought me here, m'lady. A rival pack challenged my pack. The King, he grew angry with my father for not fighting harder, for not rallying our troops faster. My father had done all he could, but it wasn't enough. Nothing, save a miracle, would have been enough." He thought back to that day. "My family was thrown from the pack. My brother, wife and I departed to make our own life... we thought we had found it in a land before we reached here, but it was consumed in fire and ash. The only good that came of it was the adoption of my sons and daughter. We then came here and settled, founding a Kingdom of my very own." It had turned into a bit of a 'how we got here' story, but he hoped he'd sufficiently answered her question. He would turn a glance at her, asking the same question with his eyes. What wars had this brave woman faced in her years? "speeeeech"

~*~ Crusade walked along in soft, attentive silence. Her gaze carried on ahead of her paws, but her nearest ear was trained on the king, showing that she was indeed hearing every word of the answer she?d called for. And a worthy answer it was. The undeserved anger of a ruler? The exodus of family? The starting of one?s own pack? These were things that Crusade understood quite well. She was intrigued to hear of all this, for surely the male could not even be so old as her brother Gargoyle. Still, that meant he had to be around four? Five? How much had she seen and done, by that time? Too much. But her first glimpse of true war hadn?t come till much later. The male seemed ready enough to open his book to a stranger and drift through the pages of his story. To say that this ?pleased? Crusade wasn?t quite right. It didn?t please or displease her, it just was. The two of them, the once-Chief and the ruling King, had each been shaped and stitched very differently, but, could be said to have been cut from the same cloth. As the male finished Crusade glanced into his eyes, reading instinctively the question that lay in their depths. Only natural that he should return it back to her. Crusade?s gaze switched back to the stretches of sand ahead. She sighed through a closed maw. ?I am sorry ? for the loss of your old pack and the move you?ve had to lead your family through. Glaciem came through the same eruption ?? Crusade?s ears flickered backwards in the shadow of the memory. ?In fact, it was a mountain in the heart of our old territory that became the volcano.? They?d lost many members that day?. But in truth they were lucky that any of them had survived at all. But this was responding to the male?s answer, but offering one herself. ?As for war, Glaciem has been lucky ? the pack came upon the verge of it at the time of it?s founding, but since then we?ve had peace.? Crusade snorted ironically but not bitterly. ?-Or at least what peace there can be when pieces of molten earth just falling from the sky.? The old she-wolf blinked, and, pausing, began to delve back into the past. ?As for my personally? I cannot say the same. When I was much younger, and Glaciem was little but a newborn, I was kidnapped ? stolen away by members of a vast grey army ? to their empire in the Far Frozen North. To them I lost my mother, my freedom?? For many moons since she had laid awake through cold nights, fearing to lay down her head lest beneath it she feel the blood stained stone of the prison caves. ?.. and my first mate.? Mouse. Crusade stifled a ragged sigh. ?But all wounds can heal with time,? she whispered, then with a wry smirk, turned her head so that Gerhardt could see her blink her empty socket. ?-Well, almost all of them.? She returned to her usual, prowling motions, her remaining eye fixed on the middle distance, as though she could see the scenes of her memory playing out before her. ?But after I escaped, I staid in the Far North for some time ? aiding the resisting pack ? the Defiants, that also dwelt there. That was where I learned of war? and what a blight it is. Neccisary, yes ? oh so neccisary sometimes, but? that makes it no less of an evil.? Her tone altered. ?Don?t misunderstand me, I am of warrior stock and warrior training. In my younger years I loved nothing better than a good, challenging oppoenant, and a chance to rip at some flesh.? She shook her head. ?But there is a difference between the honorable matching of blows between two warriors ? and slaughtering of soldiers? So much death, and so many still breathing yet already doomed to die. When I?d started Glaciem I?d planned on using it as a close knit army ? a ?just force? to put an end to packs of dark hearts and twisted beliefs? but the war in the North changed my mind. There are so many other ways?.war is something I?ll never wish on any pack.? Crusade sniffed and raised her head. ?Apologies if my wandering thoughts seem to take the form of a lectures and morals ? one of the hazards of old age I suppose.? ~*~

She seemed to truly listen. Not the sort of half listening that most were skilled at, but a true form of listening that was rare to find and wonderful to possess. The King felt like talking more, but remained silent for wanting of her own story, or even just a response to his. This was very much a two-sided conversation, and Gerhart would not be the one to forget that. She gave an apology, noting the turmoils he'd gone through and that she too had faced the volcano's fiery wrath. So, she was of the old land.. the land of fire. Gerhardt's brow raised with immediate interest. His children had been born in the land of fire, perhaps she had known their family, their pack? "You survived the eruption, you say? Tell me.. did you know of a pack called..." he trailed off momentarily, trying to recall the name. "Talutah, I think it was?" Yes, that sounded right. He knew nothing of it, only that the children's father had bore similar markings to them, and their mother carried the bright red that Valkis now wore. They had been dead when he'd found them, their children still by some miracle alive and well. The woman then lapsed into her own story, a tale he would listen to with much curiosity. Glaciem had fared well in the subject of war, but she.. not so much. She spoke for a while, every word reverberating in the King's cranium. She had faced so much in her hears, he could scarcely imagine how she'd come out of it all so very... normal. So very kind. He supposed the strong of spirit could do such things, but he'd never met anyone who'd been through so much and still turned out so splendidly. Respect grew for the woman as she finished off her tale. For a moment a silence fell over them, the monarch being unable to form a suitable response. Then, he spoke what he could. "I can only imagine the horrors you have faced. What I cannot imagine, however, is how strong you must have been - and must still be - to have gotten through all of that and stayed so pleasant." Pleasant wasn't the exact word he was going for, but it would work for the time being. He would glance at her with amethyst eyes. "You are truly a remarkable woman." Not a hint of seduction lingered in those words, that was not his intent. Instead, a sense of awe would fall over his features, and whisper through his speech, lacing each word. "speeeeech"

~*~ Talutah. Yes she knew the name. ?Tribals.? Crusade muttered with a nod. ?Very secretive bunch. I only ever met two of them ? one a happy, polite male who obviously cared about his gods and his beliefs ? he even told me a bit about them. But then the other was some sort of high priestess or something ? I never could remember the name she gave ? she stamped into the meeting and with some very colorful language scolded the male for telling a stranger anything and ordered him back with his tail between his legs.? So obviously Crusade had had mixed feelings about the Tribe from the start. ?There were plenty of strong rumors going around at the time ? that the Tribals kept slaves was known for a fact, but hearsay was they would sometimes sacrifice them to their gods! They?d do anything for the gods ? even inbreed!? Crusade gave a shudder of disgust. To be quite honest, Talutah had been first on her list of, well, ?crusades? when she?d had control of Glaciem. Everything about them was sinister and twisted. But she?d learned to have a bit more of a heart since then. Still believed they were wrong and what not, but she wasn?t about to shed buckets of blood until she had talked. Now such things were in Gargoyle?s hands. And to tell the truth he seemed content with peace - Espically now that he and Ocena seemed to be starting a family. And yet? Crusade had wracked her brain about it until she was certain. Gargoyle was a vetran. He?d been in war ? she could see it in the way he carried himself and the way he held his gaze ? not to mention in the way he?d nearly shredded the rogue known as Oberon when he?d nearly killed Crusade at the border. Gargoyle had seen war. Been a part of it, even. But about such things as his years apart from his family ? he was a locked book. It was something Crusade could respect even if she couldn?t understand. ? Crusade had finished her words upon her experiences and upon war in general, and now they walked in silence for a short time. Well, it wasn?t true silence, for always there was the steady rush and roar of the waves, the wet slap of the breakers upon the sand and stone, and ominous swaying of the trees, and the cry of the white gulls. Then came Gerhardt?s words, as heavy as the waves themselves. And Crusade was pleasantly taken aback. She hadn?t been looking for compliments ? rather, if her wandering muses wanted anything ? it was Gerhardt?s own thoughts on conflict. Not that she was disappointed here. It was a curious twist of her personality ? but Crusade had never been very at ease with taking praise ? particularly not from wolves where it really seemed to mean something. Asheni, her healer, adored her, but they were close enough to be sisters. The feelings were old and mutual. Here was a male she?d known only for a number of days ? a King in his own right ? and he was paying her such a sincere and elegant compliment. And yet, could she really take credit for all that? So many times she?d gotten by through sheer luck and other times by the strength within her that she could hardly call her own. She?d been blessed with great gifts and she?d always done her best to be worthy of them. That was all. In the end, the old she-wolf inclined her head thankfully, bearing a soft smile that was half grateful for the praise, half sad at all she?d come through to earn it. ?You?re a fine sort of Alpha yourself, M?lord Gerhardt. I?ve met few who are so calm and at peace. Truly your subjects must be grateful to have you. ? Crusade meant it. And meant something by it. She hoped that the lord would take it to heart if she was correct in her earlier inference about him being troubled by the infractions of his packmates. She might not have been in Seracia for very long, but it was clear they were governed by firstly, their own codes of conduct, and secondly by a male who cared very much for the nurturing of his family. What wolf could ask for more than that? ~*~

An answer came almost instantly, but certainly not one he had expected. Tribals? When was the last time he'd stumbled across a pack like that.. it had to have been years. Could it be his sons and daughter were the offspring of a tribal pack? It had to be, for he trusted the word of this matriarch. She spoke on, describing them further and with more detail than he probably cared to know. However, the King could not help but listen with the upmost curiosity. Her last word brought a wretched taste into his throat. No. He would not believe that his children were the product of inbreeding. He'd seen the mother and father, and they looked quite different from one another. "My sons and daughter are a product of those tribals. My wife and I took them in on our way here, we couldn't help ourselves.. the poor little whelps were screaming and carrying on. Their mother and father were dead when we arrived, a black brute with splotches on his rump, and a fiery red female. Did you happen to know either of them?" He wouldn't bet that she would, but any information at all was more than he started with. Tail switched from side to side, pondering what she had said. Slaves, sacrifices, inbreeding, gods, priestess... His mind was swimming. What if he had not found them? What would have become of his sweet children, kind Maverick, darling Kamala, and sullen Valkis, had he not adopted them and brought them here.. had they grown up in a world of religion and sacrifices? The King could scarcely begin to imagine such things. "I never like to rejoice in the death of parents with pups so young, but from what you describe I can scarcely help but do so. I would not have wanted them to live in a pack like that." If it had been a choice between living in a pack like that and facing the fiery inferno.. Gerhardt would have thrown them into the fire himself. Well.. perhaps that was a bit drastic. He fell silent again, musing about this and that, and whoever came to his mind. Quite often Segar and his lady lingered in the folds of his cranium, but he tried not to dwell on them if he could. The whole situation only irked the King, and he wasn't in the proper company to act sullen and distressed. Crusade wanted a tour of his home, and he'd be barking mad to go around moping about things he could very well take care of later. Eyes would flicker to the one-eyed woman as she spoke up, returning his own compliment with one directed at him. A brow raised slightly, followed by a genuine smile. "You cannot imagine how much I needed to hear that today," he would pause, wondering if he ought to unveil the reason for his all-over-the-place attitude. Feeling as if he owed that much to her, he decided to go forth. "One alpha to another.. how did you deal with punishments when you were reigning over Glaciem?" It was an innocent enough question, but he elaborated a bit further. "Because frankly, I'm finding it to be far more difficult than I'd imagined it would be." He supposed he was naive to think that punishing a member would ever go exactly as planned, but he hadn't expected it to go so wrong. He wondered if his relationship with Segar and Ghost would ever come back from the events that had so recently passed. Eyes would travel from the woman to the waves, finding some sort of comfort in them. "speeeeech"

~*~ Gerhardt?s pups? Tribal born? Those lovely darlings? Crusade had a bit of trouble believing her ears. But when she did she could only shake her head and smile. What a blessing. What a rare twist of fate ? that the orphaned pups had been scooped up by one so caring and powerful. Did they appreciate that fully? Crusade hoped so. She herself had never had a better gift than that of her family. But Gerhardt asked another question, and to it Crusade could only give another shake of her head. ?I?m afraid that my prior words are the extent of my Talutain knowledge. ? And what of the male?s next words. Crusade was quiet after them. Nearly any death was tragic, but in this case it had worked out well for the pups, and if the parents had truly loved them then they would?ve been pleased to see them brought up in so fine and sheltered a home ? not to mention privileged. To Crusade, who was no stranger to adoption. It was a wonderful thing. She nodded her head and the two wolves carried on. ? ?You cannot imagine how much I needed to hear that today.? The Alpha?s release made Crusade all more glad she had spoken. And with Gerhardt?s next words he honored her with a question, and an admission of uncertainty ? something rare for any leader to willingly show. ?I?ve never had to deal with such a thing.? Crusade said with an honest shrug. But I won?t say I was lucky for this?for there was one traitorous tragedy that made up for the other years?? The memory was just too horrible ? a visible shudder ran thorugh the she-wolf?s being. She couldn?t speak deeper on it. ?But the perpetrator had gone insane. Before I even had the chance to deal with things he was over a cliff and done with.? But Crusade didn?t want to leave things there ? for one thing she wanted to lead her train of thought far away from such a horror and for another, she wanted to say something that was actually of use to her companion. ?But the truth is that my packmates know what they?re signing up for when they ask to join my pack. They?re trusting to submit themselves to my family and my rules. If one of them committed a transgression, - which I?m sure they would not do unless they had a very good reason - they would be expected to stand up and face the consequences ? whether it be a temporary demotion to omega ? or a three days sentry on the frozen tip of one of our mountains. If this was to their disliking, they can always just leave.? Crusade snorted at the idea of someone holding a grudge over something so typical and expected of every pack member. ?Even I?ve served time as an omega before.? Crusade was aware of the questioning look this was sure to bring. With a roll of her eyes and a dry smile she elaborated a bit. ?Years ago ? my Alpha was wounded and when I came upon a nice little rogue healer on the border, I rushed him in to the Alpha.-? Crusade bent her ears back guilty. ?Disreguarding the strict rule that no one but the Alpha or Beta could allow an outsider into her land.? It hadn?t been her favorite moment. ?Honestly, my Alpha?s great displeasure was worse going through than my term as Omega. But I learned from it. Punishment, when just and taken the right way is meant to be character building ? not permanently degrading. ? Of course for just about all wolves this is hard to accept in the heat of the moment ? and some never see things in that way. Their loss. Hopefully these words would do something towards setting the southern king?s mind at ease. As for Crusade?s mind it was turning upon other things. The more time she spent with this male, the more she approved of him ? no that was too formal - the more she liked him. He was a rare good sort and someone she felt she could talk to for days. Gargoyle had given his trust completely to her in matters of alliance. Her word was as good as his. And at the moment she was very deeply considering bringing up the topic of an alliance again ? but not until she was certain Gerhardt was able to turn away his troubles. ~*~

The lesson having been given to the yearling pups of the Seracian alpha's had gone rather well today. At least that's what Bane thought. It was probably best to tell an alpha that the almost forgotten knowledge of Talutah had been shared to their young. At least in Bane's mind; which is why he sought?Gerhardt out now.

His nose was low to the musty sand, breathing in his King's scent with a slight sniff. Towards the beach it seemed. And as Bane poked his head over the shorelines scrub brush the grey wolf observed his third alpha and what could only be one of the two Glaciem wolves he'd heard about. Talking about pack stuff and political whatnots the Bane could care less about, and as he prowled over to the two conversing wolves he stopped and gave a bark at a pause in their conversation.

"Escortin' a Glaciem around eh chief? King?" Bane corrected. Old habits would be the death of him.

"I would just like to inform you that I've told the pups about from whence they came and a few facts about their birth pack Talutah. I would think that your mate Adette would like to know that I've started teaching your young today; though I don't know if she told you anything about giving lessons. When I met her she seemed rather excited that I inform the three little ones about Talutah." Bane kneaded the grains of sand between his claws and shifted anxiously his gaze between the two wolves.

"Might I say your that against the sand your pelt color makes you look very comely m'lady." Bane dipped his nose against the uncountable grains and gave a roll of his Talutah marked shoulder in their direction as an impromptu sign of respect.

"When they've learned all they want to, do you want me to mark them as members of their former pack Gerhardt or should I leave that up to them?" It was an odd request, but should any of the yearlings want to have the Talutah mark carved on their body it was probably best to ask the Alpha first.

Gerhardt listened intently, eager to drink from the wine that was this woman's wisdom. She was older than he, but Gerhardt revered those with more years than he possessed. To him, age was a symbol of one's will to live and cunning at life. There had been peace in Glaciem, but there was a traitor to speak of, one who threw himself off of a cliff. Gerhardt was somewhat shocked by this statement, but only just. He'd known his fair share of insane wolves. She continued, giving what he hoped would be some form of advice for himself. A few of her words really stuck in his mind, those in particular being 'unless they had a very good reason'. Segar and Ghost had had a decent enough reason, but the King had felt the need to punish them anyway. Had he been too harsh? Had he lacked mercy? However, another set of words brought him back to their conversation. 'I've served time as omega before.' Crusade? Surely this was an attempt at a dry joke? But he could tell that it was not, and her next words testified to that. "I've unfortunately had to get my paws wet recently in punishment." He sighed, "It did not go as planned." Gerhardt flicked his ear back. "Could I share a tale with you, and see how you might have responded?" Of course if she'd rather not get involved in that sort of affair he would understand. He would not go back on his choice, he was just searching for confirmation - or criticism - on what he had chosen to do. However, before he could get a response from her, another crept upon the scene. He was a man that Gerhardt was altogether not familiar with, but he had heard of the new Count. He proceeded to inform the King - originally called the Chief - of what he had done. This man had taught his children about their past? Who had given consent of that. Ah, his wife. Gerhart resisted the urge to twitch his lip. "I should like you to inform me of Talutah in the near future, sir." Words were not exactly an order, but they held the same weight. This man was the key to his childrens' past, and he wanted that door locked forever. "I would rather you not mark them, as that is part of their past and not of their future, but should they desire it they can speak to me about that matter." Eyes fell upon the man's marred shoulder. "Is that the mark, then?" It looked so foreign, so.. barbaric. The King was certain he did not want his children to bear such a mark, but if they insisted he would oblige them. "speeeeech"

~*~ Gerhardt's request, made her pause.Up til then, Crusade had been free enough with her words, and yet the conversation went back and forth as any should. They spoke of deep matters, but here Gerhardt was going a step further. He was asking for her opinion on an action he'd taken within his pack. And Crusade hesitated. Certainly she knew the value of a confidant, and a part of her was honored that he should seek one in her. But it, well, it wasn't proper. It wasn't because they'd only just met. Nor because they were from different packs. It was a rare day that saw Crusade limiting herself by hollow formalities. She hesitated, because she knew what it was to be an Alpha. There would always be wolves seeking to give advice or judgement, to make whispers in ears whether with good intentions or ill, but in the end the Alpha had to make the decisions. And he had to stand by them, on his own four paws. It was out of respect for this, that Crusade would gently recline. And she planned to say this and her reasons along with it, when another Seracian came up. The mark on his shoulder caught her eye at once. Seemed the pups were not the only remnant of the old Tribe. He immediately spoke up to speak of lessons he'd been giving the pups - and then, turning to politely praise the once Alphess. The words of his complement surprised her, but no more so than his boldness in voicing them. Saying such things came as casual to some wolves, this she knew, and she made little of it, only tilting her head and lowering her eyes in a silent gesture to be read as he liked. She had nothing to say on the matter at hand. As she'd said before she'd known only two tatulahs - and only for a matter of minutes, the one had struck her as very friendly, the other as the opposite. This wolf before her might be a very nice sort, but his words worried her. Among Gerhardt's young was Maverick, the future king of Seracia. Was he to be trained to walk in the pawsteps of the Tribe? Troubling. To say the least. But Gerhardt's reaction was prompt - controlled, as it should be, but it got the point across. Crusade felt the better for hearing it. Education was one thing, indoctrination another, and yet at a young age it is often hard to tell the difference. But her own opinions she kept to herself. She'd said enough on the matter, and as for the current moment, it was obviously between the two Seracians. ~*~

Bane heard Gerhardt request that he teach him about Talutah culture, and the former Talutah wolf's jaw tensed at the request. "It's not your knowledge to know..." The King continued to say that he would prefer that his adopted young remain unmarked unless they wanted to be, and if they should Bane would go inform him.

"I shall, and yes it is. Quite a painful process to administer too the flesh. I will definitely tell you should any one of the three want it. Valkis wants it but I cannot give it to him, I need the carving bone and its in the ash lands. Maverick and Kamala are no go's." Bane observed the Glaciem staring at his shoulder, turning his body to hide the mark again. It was probably best to leave now so the two could get back to doing important stuff.

The grey male cleared his throat. "They don't have to live by what I teach them, I just feel that..." Bane turned to leave, a sudden tightness in his throat. "They have a right to know and partly because it's what I would've taught my offspring would they be around today. Only they aren't and the one who took them are... fate certainly feels to screw with us sometimes doesn't it?" Bane really mention himself, but he didn't want a pity party and mumbled the last bit. Maybe he'd sacrifice a rabbit or something later for his family's spirits. He'd best be off.

-Exit Bane unless stopped, you may powerplay him walking away-