I'll be TWISTED its my turn! She was going to be late, but the girl moved as swiftly as she could once she realized what was going on. Arisu had left Covari lands for a little while again, searching entertainment beyond the borders of her home. She would arrive, it would seem, on a scene rather interesting. The girl would slow to a stop, green eyes shining with surprise as she saw Sibelle facing Crucifix, defenses set. The girl would frown, ears flicking back as she slowed, circling slowly around the others and stealing glances at the others gathered. What was this now? What exactly was Sibelle getting at? The girl would come to a pause, unease in her position as she looked on at the two. Would there be a big scene here? Or would Sibelle be talked down? Emerald orbs would slide to her mothers, quietly seating herself not far from them. They would handle things, certainly, if they got out of control. Otherwise, well, let the fun and games begin. "Hear My Voice," 'Read My Thoughts.'

The scarred pup was getting worse, now with her paw unable to hold her up. When the black and white pup tried to get to her paws, she fell, a whimper escaping her jaws. Blood dripped from her leg wound, newly reopened, and Hestia held it up close to her chest, her blue eyes glimmering with pain. The others had already left, so the black sheep began to limp forwards once she heard her mother's howl. She kept her head up high, despite the pain chewing at her, and she managed to keep walking. A low whimpering sigh escaped her jaws as her vampire bat fluttered forwards, landing on her shoulder. But he did not say a word, which may have been for the best. When Hestia spotted her mothers sitting together, she limped forward, nodding at Arisu as she passed. Then, she lowered her head to the two queens. She wasn't sure what to say, but she kept silent, instead turning back to Arisu.

She limped closer to her sister, and smiled at her briefly. "Not entirely sure if I can keep our promise about the spar." She said, softly, and moved her injured paw closer to her head. She began to lick it, relaxing a little next to her sister, unaware of Crucifix and Sibelle.

""

A familiar presence would appear at her side, followed by soft words. If she wasn't so upset, she would have been surprised. She paid no mind to the smaller woman, only a growl leaving her throat. Her gaze remained fixated on Crucifix. She would see the confused, then the shock, and then the guilty. His words were shaky and soft as though he was unable to comprehend what was happening. He would confirm it and then sway, uncertain. He rambled on about how Vi was a mother, a ruler and married. She didn't understand why he was rambling on about it, she already knew, and it wasn't why she was here. She could practically feel his realization as it settled on his face. Her nickname rolled off his tongue as he again stumbled over his words. It wasn't adding up. Vi had specifically said he had seen her and now he was saying that he saw raspberries. One of them was lying to her. Help me. Her snarl would falter, though her stance remained defensive. His soft plea tugged at her emotions, causing the russet woman to sway. Ears remained pinned against her skull, hackles bristled, but muscles failed the remain tense. "Don't you lie to me." Hurt mingled with the anger that tinged her gaze as she fought to cover it all up. Toes flexed, claws digging into the ground restlessly. "Why should I help you? Whats keeping you here?" Lips would curl just enough to reveal the tips of daggers, she was torn between leaving and attacking. Did he deserve it? Yes. But could she follow through with it? Her decision swayed here. Did she tell him about her feelings or keep them locked away forever? Her throat contracted painfully, there was no getting control of herself now. The rest of the pack was forgotten, if they wanted to whisper, she would let them, for now. But sooner or later she would part them from their tongues if necessary. Her trembling quieted so that it was nearly unnoticeable. "Crucifix" His name rolled off her tongue so softly she wasn't even sure she had said it. Her gaze would drop from his, straying off to somewhere behind him. Her chest rose and fell with heavy breathes. What had she gotten herself into?

Her master paid her no attention, which surprised the tiny female. She had hoped that by disobeying her master, something she never did, would bring her out of this strange state. And yet... The pieces began to fall into place as they spoke to each other, soft words, words of pain and hurt. Ekko's own ears would pin back, for she knew exactly what this was. Love. She was a slave to that emotion, or at least she had been. It was what had gotten her into this whole mess, it was the reason for her beautiful face being scarred. She was no longer pretty, and she was no longer whole. She was suddenly very afraid for her sweet Lady, she knew what love did to wolves. It destroyed them, it tore them apart. It crushed dreams and it shattered souls.

Ekko whined softly, nuzzling her russet queen softly on the shoulder. "Lady Sibelle, please. Let us go away from here." She whispered quietly. But his name flowed out of her inky lips, this gray brute had hurt her master. Quickly the small female spun, her pale blue eyes boldly looking up. She did not meet his eyes, she gazed at his ebony nose instead. "I would suggest that you leave. You have hurt more than enough wolves with your silly notion of love. You cannot fix this, and if you harm my Lady I will find a way to throw it back at you. It will come for you, karma always does." She said, her soft voice raising slightly. Apparently Ekko had grown some balls in the past few moments, because this was truly not how she acted. But she knew what the whole concept of love did to others, and she would not stand by idle and watch it happen.

Turning back to her lady, to her sweet russet queen, another whine would slip from between her lips. Was she sorry that she spoke out? No. But she was sorry for not listening to direct orders, but this was an important matter. She did not know how deeply Sibelle felt for this man, but it mattered not. All that mattered was Sibelle, and she needed to pull her away from this beast of a creature. Ekko pressed the flat part of her skull against Sibelle's chest, softly pushing against her to try and move her, or at least grab her attention. She did not speak again though, she had done her fair share of speaking out of line.

She looked... she looked hurt, which in itself was perhaps one of the most confusing things of all. How has Sib gotten hurt in this? He had thought it was only his own heart on the line, being worn about his throat for the world to see. He didn't even know anymore, if he ever did in the first place,where his heart might lie. There had been a time when he thought it had lied with Othello, but her heart had been given to another and she was perhaps his first heart break. He knew he felt something for Vi, some deep respect and loyalty that would have had him follow her through the ages. After all, she had seen something in him even his only family had not. She had trusted him with power and with her pack and had lead him to the world of pack life. Then there was Sib, a woman he had admired in her beauty and power and had thought that well there was friendship between them the only other emotion had been lust.



He could see now how wrong he had been, that she had been wronged and hurt by his foolish actions. He wasn't sure he could stay here, in this place where he had made so many mistakes and held so much regret. He knew also that he could not leave Vi, he could not abandon her when he had promised his service to her and her pack. He hung his head lower, feeling shame in his chest. Perhaps he was finally starting to work out the emotions in his heart and in the hearts around him ? too late fo course, too late.



She told him not to lie to her and his throat burned, he was laying parts of his heart on the counter between them and she was accusing him of lying? Perhaps there was too much in him that she did not like or did not wish to hear, perhaps he shamed her. 'Why should I help you' she said and it was a question with merit and one he didn't have an answer too. But she asked also what was keeping here, and in part he had worked some of this out already ?You, and Vi? Responsibility? Promises? I don't even know anymore? The last sentence came out in a whispered sigh



She would say his name now and his breath would catch in his throat and again his eyes would snap open. There was no world no, no wolves about them, no pack ? no Ekko and no words that she might have spoken . There was himself, and Sib, his friend and the girl he had hurt and wronged. God, a part of him wanted her to tear into his flesh, to deal him pain and hurt so that he would not have to see it in her eyes any more, and would wear instead in a badge across his flesh so that she would not have to wear it in her heart. ?Sibelle? he would whisper back.

Ekko would lash out, speaking once again. She had never heard the woman say so many words in one sitting. Somewhere in the back of her mind she realized that Ekko had been hurt, deeply scarred before they had met. But it was the farthest thing from her mind. The emotions that swelled inside her were overwhelming. It was too late. The damage had been done and she didn't know if she would ever recover. First Aeron. Then Taurig. And now Crucifx. For the first time, she felt utterly broken, unable to help herself. Vi.. Her name rolled off his tongue again. Vi. Vi. Vi. His whispered words stung like he was yelling. She would step away from, finally allowing space to form between them. Her name rolled off his tongue pitifully and her shoulders would sag. Her gaze would shift to Ekko, her muzzle lowering until she was face to face with the tiny woman. "Stay here." Her tones dared the woman to disobey this time. Rising to her full height, she would avoid his lavender gaze, turning away from the growing crowd. In order to maintain some of her dignity, her crown remained lifted, tail curled at her hocks as she moved with the elegance of a queen. Her eyes focused straight ahead, seeing absolutely nothing as her vision began to blur. She would leave the meeting behind her, she would leave the pack behind her. She would walk and walk and walk until she was out of sight and long out of ear shot. She had neared the borders of the range before she finally came to a halt. She paid no mind to being followed, if she was followed, her limbs would plant themselves her crown lowering until her nose nearly touched the ground. Shoulders sagged, ears loosely held against her skull. Eyes fluttered shut, forcing away unshed tears. -exit-

She knew that she was far out of line in her words and actions, but she couldn't help it. She would not allow Sibelle to fight for such a stupid, petty emotion. So she tried all that she could, and it seemed to work. Sibelle lowered her head towards Ekko's, commanding her not to move. Her ears fell flat against her skull and her tail tucked between her legs as the small girl shrunk closer to the landscape. She braced for a blow, something that was oh-so familiar to her, but it never came. She should know better, she knew that her sweet queen would never lash out at her, at least physically. She moved away then, and Ekko longed to follow her russet master. She remained standing in place though, still shrunken low to the ground, her pale blue eyes cast on the earth. It was all his fault, this Crucifix. If only she had grown enough balls to fight him herself. But no, that was completely out of character for Ekko, and she had acted out enough today.

Ekko was utterly lost. She knew none of these wolves that were gathered here for the meeting, she was only here because Sibelle chose to come here. Whining once more, the small dame fell to the earth, ears and tail still tucked as she rested on the earth. She would stay right here until Sibelle came to collect her, since she told her to stay here. This time she would listen, and would not move an inch from her post.

As the strangers of Covari continued to spill in, Maija watched with a keen, green gaze. She didn't pose too long on anyone in particular until she saw Sibelle's reaction to Crucifix's presence. As soon as he arrived, her recovering sister rose from beside her and approached the young boy. Her defenses were raised and she attempted to begin a fight, one that would not have a pleasant outcome. Ekko rushed to her side, pleading with the russet-furred woman to stand down from her potential dominant stance. Crucifix and Sibelle both exchanged words before Sibelle did stand down and left the meeting before anything else could be said. Maija didn't waste any time in acting. She proceeded to stand from her seat on the grass and voiced to a nearby Eon, "Fill me in if I don't make it back." Her green gaze hardened and she growled at anyone that would dare follow her into the woods. Her lithe, golden frame turned and set off to find Sibelle's. Tail curled over slender haunches as she sniffed the air, hoping to come across her at a quick notice. Soon, she caught her scent and raced towards her quivering form. Words were not said and emotions were not expressed by the golden female as she slowed her pace to stand beside her sister. She lowered herself to her haunches and pressed her sturdy form against Sibelle's. Maija would be the shoulder she needed if her sister wanted her there. Regardless of her presence being unwanted, she was going to stay anyway. If Sibelle rested her head against her frame, Maija would not oppose and not turn away. -EXIT MAIJA- Talk like this

I'll be TWISTED its my turn! Not too long after Arisu had settled down did another of her siblings arrive, and this one being Hestia. Gaze would flick to her black coated sibling, a bit of concern in her eyes when she saw the injury. Fresh, or reopened, the girl wasn't sure. Her sister seemed to get herself in situations she was not yet prepared for. It was good to seek strength, but to go beyond your current capabilities was not any way to go about it. Her sister would work herself to death at this rate, or perhaps bleed out. It hadn't been so big of an issue the very first time... concern yes, but the thought that perhaps Hestia would hold back a bit. No such thing it seemed. Arisu made a note to talk to her sister later on that matter, shaking her head when the other sat. "Do not worry about it." There was a moment of silence from her, ignoring the scene of Sibelle and Crucifix as it played out, and instead focused on her sister's form. "You'll need treatment." It was stating the obvious, though if Hestia was careful to listen she would hear the hint of concern in Arisu's tone. Perhaps could see it in the edges of her gaze. Blood was blood, and you only got one family, so you'd better shape them into something you can rely on. Her thoughts of maybe manipulating Hestia into more of a pawn than a sister had gone. Now she wished only to strengthen what bonds she could with the rest of them... and perhaps build a stronger family. One that was meant to rule. But did this mean the girl was weak? Overly kind? Hell no. There was just always room for softness around family. That was all. "Hear My Voice," 'Read My Thoughts.'

She would arrive late, on purpose. Blood would seep from open would but the massive beast paid it no mind. She wore the wounds with pride. She had deserved them, asked for them even. She had wanted him to flay her alive and he had done just that. She would move slowly towards the group, catching the tail end of a spat it seemed. Was her sister involved in this? Skull would lift slowly, pausing in her step as she strained to listen to the tail ends of the conversation but all she heard was the end. So she would slip closer, moving towards the back of the crowd before the massive woman would seat herself to listen. What had she missed? Much? Did she really care? No? Not really. Without Newt what was there to care about?

Speech!

The newly appointed Botschafter had been a bit uneasy about leaving his brother in the pack lands but already duty called. The new queen seemed quite content to accept his services and as soon as he had caught wind of his queen leaving pack lands he had turned himself to follow. Long limbs and massive paws would pull him after her, mostly playing catch up until he hit the a packs boarder he did not recognize and yet? Seracia? He would pause at the boarders of his old home, his first home in these strange lands after the eruption and after Valhalla. This was his old home? Why was she here and why had she passed so easily through the boarders? Did she know these wolves? He would draw a breath before slipping through the boarders, trotting towards the scent of his queen. A huge gathering was there, and thankfully Svan was easy enough to spot. He would start towards her before pausing? Zara? One leg remained lifted slightly as her took in his older siblings appearance. She was bloody and battered but then again when was she not? But she was blind now? Slowly his gaze would pan. The red woman? He knew her now by name, his younger sister who had warned himself and Io and Aiden of the flood in Taiyae but why was she here? Slowly he would creep towards Svan, slipping to her side silently and seating himself to her right. What was happening?

Speech!

He had not been to a pack meeting since he was a part of Amenti under Syrinx... it was all a bit surreal. Yet he was here for a single reason - Sibelle, the woman who had invited him to stay here. His eyes would search for her as he silently stepped through the crowd - but when his gaze finally seeked her out, she was ready to fight. Brows would furrow as he seeked out her opponent, his own hackles bristling slightly - if she were to fight he would do so beside her. Yet in the end, she would leave - and Aeron would step toward her, prepared to follow. There were others that did the same though, a golden woman and a man bearing a cross - and so he would wait a moment, hesitant, staring in the direction she had fled.


He would not stay for the meeting, something that he may be punished for later, but he would take it if need be. Slowly the brute would follow in the russet woman's direction, ignoring what he had heard from the encounter. It mattered not what Sibelle did in the time that he was not here, what mattered to him was that she had been hurt. Hurt by the cross bearing male, and he did not sit well with Aeron at all. He was a fool, to choose someone over the green eyed female - a similar mistake to the one Aeron had made, but entirely different because Sibelle seemed to have given herself to him... and he turned her away. Jealousy mingled with resentment - not toward her, but him. But he would bury it all within himself as he set off to find Sibelle.

Most all would come, at least all that she knew and many that she did not. Each would be greeted with smiles and nods, sometimes a murmured warm welcome but it was only Desiree who would capture her full attention. The purple woman swept onto the scene with that natural grace and for a moment Vi was torn, terrified even. What is she was not forgiven, what of this was all for show? But the purple queen would slip to her side and lean into it languidly. Was that forgiveness? Vi would sigh, eyes closing briefly before she would return to smiling and nodding to all. Even Svan had ventured from her new home for this... More and more would gather, many faces she did not know. Rune and his wife and children would come, her own children as well. The strangest one was a lion. Yes ladies and gentlemen... A freaking lion rolled up, moving forward and asking to speak to Vi later. Uuuhhh... What? She would nod numbly in response, wondering briefly if she would get eaten and then Crucifix would come. She had only spoken to him briefly but she had shared his words with Sibelle. The tension was evident and Vi would shift uncomfortably as it grew up until Sibelle finally made her move. Demanding to challenge for his rank. Whispered words were shared after that, spoken softly but some would slip towards the red queen. He had thought of raspberries not of Vi. Lying son of a bitch... Lips would curl in disgust, oh yes... She was very much done with his filth hide. But she would remain at her wife's side, simply and observer in all this. Allowing it all to play out. For now.

Finally they would depart and more would come, more known and unknown faces trickling in now after the flood. After a moment she would sigh then speak. "I apologize for that, but let us move on. Welcome all, I have yet to meet each of you, I assume some have come during Crucifix's rule and I wish to meet with each of you some day soon. For those who do not know me I am Viridiana Sovari, half if the ruling party that leads this pack. This is my wife Desiree Caramel." She would pause her, motioning to Desiree who would hopefully remain at her side after the whole ordeal. "First off an explanation. As some of you may know I challenged for Valhalla not too long ago and won. It was done for two reasons. The first being... They are the reason my nephew is dead, their ruling family were the ones to kill them and though I do not know who specifically I had every wish to destroy their family as they did mine... It was personal. It was a family matter. Secondly, though I did not realize this until just recently, we do not have the hunters to support our growing pack. Nor do we have the land. I have claimed more land, the caves south of us but soon it may not be enough. Soon we at ask for volunteers to move to Valhalla but no one will be for ably ejected from a pack they have come to call home." Valhalla was covered as was overpopulation.

Fuck... What was next? "As some as you may have noticed I am not exactly at fighting shape. For the time being Desiree will be taking over station as primary alpha, if she would accept...?" Gaze would turn to her wife, a small smile touching her lips. They had not discussed this but Vi felt confidant in this decision. As much as she hated the idea of her wife being a target and having to protect the pack Vi had full confidence in her.

Her mind was stuck on Crucifix and Sibelle, their argument and talk and what Vi I wanted to shriek at his pathetic face. "Lastly. We have some enemies now. I do not wish to view them as enemies but the Tortugan Queen seems to think I was the one who started the plague that touches is not too long ago, for that reason I expect you all to exercise a bit of caution around her especially, the rest seem quite reasonable. Her name is Roman, she is a white woman with a red mark above her left eye. Or newest enemy is the queen of old Arcanum. I do not know her name but she challenged Sibelle and won. She is also the woman who kidnapped my daughter Fiamette. Exercise extreme caution around her... If she is anything like her mother she is dangerous..." Those last words were spoken softly, almost to herself. Was there anything else she was missing? She would pause another moment to think, head tipped curiously. "Anyone ranked commoner may find myself, Scorpion or Desiree after the meeting and be appointed to a rank of your choosing. Orchid is our lead healer, Libra and Maija are our lead warriors and Othello is our lead hunter. I would like each of your to hold meetings with your underlings to at least get to know each other in the following weeks. Is there anything else anyone would like to address?" Fuck if she had missed something, she was done hearing the sound of her own voice...

Bandit chose to ignore the interaction between Crucifix and the woman he seemed to argue or fight with. She just kept her eyes focused on something off in the distance before the voice of Vi reached the air and the meeting started. The woman would listen to the words of her queen and nod in acceptance of everything that was said. She'd have to find one of them later so she could request the role of hunter. She was also a bandit and thought that maybe, just maybe, they could put to some use what she had been raised to do. The fast wolf had no questions or concerns that should be discussed in public and therefore she kept silent.


Part of her considered the transfer to Valhalla in order to better serve the wishes of the queen but that would depend on if her skills would be of use in Valhalla like they might be in Covari. That would also depend on if Covari wouldn't use her skills while Valhalla would. She would have to play it by ear. The woman had spoken about handing off being a primary alpha to that of the other leader. It was turning out to be quite interesting.

(Getting her in now with the permission of Vi)

Aislin was late for sure, but she didn't worry about it now. Aislin was still getting adjusted to pack life after being a loner for so long, but now no longer. Aislin would be on time, and active as any wolf should be. Slinking in to the show, Aislin looked at all of those around her, and Cru, and saw all the pretty toys she could play with at one point. For now, she needed to look the part of her rank. She listened in on the whole meeting, saw the face of Crucifix and how he looked bothered for some reason, and the whole feeling of the meeting seemed off. It bothered her a little bit, though since it was coming to an end soon, she wouldn't be affected much.

With the words of Valhalla being challenged and won, Aislin was surprised and proud of this. Gods knew that the packs were greatly overpopulated and more land would need to be found soon. Aislin continued to listen to the meeting, to ensure she didn't miss anything else.
"Speech."

She would settle beside her brother, watching and waiting as the drama unfolded and finally dissipated. Her vibrant blue gaze watched with interest, and even giggled a little at Pandora's entrance. She was glad to see all her siblings together, even if they weren't the closest, though they damn well tried to be. She was always near Eon, but there were times when she would escape from his presence to do exploration of her own. The girl would watch at attention as more arrived, the pack huge in comparison to how it had been before. Finally, Vi would speak and she sat quietly. Eon nodding to their mothers words as she followed Sibelle out. She would have followed, but her curiosity at the meeting would hold her down in place. And it was here she would sit quietly, waiting to see if anyone else would speak. She was deeply enthralled, as her eyes wandered, by the Viridiana's children. The other red males, Solo and Vivek capturing her attention. They were indeed fine specimens, and hell she wouldn't mind getting to know one or both...was that wrong? They were quite handsome, after all.

The meeting had already gotten under way, but Lekan was still determined to attend. With his old queen gone, he had adopted a new one. Viridiana Sovari, the fiery red maiden that had taken some interest in him back when he belonged to Cataleya. Many things had changed at a dizzying pace, but the golden boy had remained mostly unscathed. His mind had taken on a new darkness, however. Now he had a strange appetite for vengeance and blood. Surely his new master wouldn't mind. The submissive boy slipped into the crowd, catching a few of her final words. He took a seat among the other members, holding his ears back as he lowered his head. On the outside, nothing changed. Lekan was still obedient. He was still the ideal slave. Why wouldn't Viridiana want him? WORDS HERE

She would remain by her wifes side, watching as each individual glided by. Though it would seem that the meeting wouldn't be as calm as she would have liked. Sibelle would soon confront cru infront of the whole crowd, and now the purple queen would be forced to listen. Her mismatched gaze would eagerly watch the fight- but alas Desire? could not help but glance over to Viridiana to see how her wife would feel towards it. Jealousy? Hatred? Nothing? The rani just didnt know. She would no longer think much of it. They had to move on, and after Desiree confronted her it would seem all was out in the open and it can all be easily forgotten, or atleast fixed. Hopefully. As soon as the drama was over Vi would start speaking, though to her surprise it would be to Desire?. A smile would touch her lips, though really she hoped she was capable of obtaining the role.

The Rani would stand once more, her attention solely on Viridiana. Her tail would flick eagerly at her heels and Desire? would lift her crown " Of course, for as long as you need to get better." The queen knew all to well Vi was no longer in her fighting shape. The purple nymph could only hope her fighting skills would be enough to protect their home against any challenges. If not? She would have failed the members of Covari and herself. She would look towards all the spectators, hoping they would accept her new role. It was about time desiree began to assign duties and get to know them all better.

I'll be TWISTED its my turn! The girl would turn her attention to her red mother as she began to speak after the rather, well, unneeded confrontation between two of her fellow packmates. But her concern was not of them, but of the news her mother had to share. Her mother spoke of yet another challenge, a personal score she settled and won. Valhalla... She did not know these wolves and nor did she care. She knew only that her mother had won yet another challenge, and was, in many ways, untouchable. At least in the young girl?s eyes she was. Her mother also spoke of temporarily shifting her power to Des, her second mother, and the girl would give a small nod. While her mother recovered it was a wise move, and one that Arisu could respect. She also spoke of trouble within the pack, of not having enough hunters... And, furthermore, enemies of their pack. So be it then... The girl would flick her ears back, looking to her mother quietly. She sought further training in all things, but she would speak to both her mother and those of the high ranks to achieve this. A glance would be cast at Hestia, wondering if any other wolf might have something to say about her sister?s state. "Hear My Voice," 'Read My Thoughts.'

"Go and Wander." Said my heart.

...and so I would wander.

The healer would listen to all that went on, bristling slightly at the scene between Crucifix and Sibelle. The male had accepted her... Helped bring her children here. She did not wish to see him in a dull light. Yet his actions spoke of shady business, and the female would shift a bit closer to her children. She would remain quiet, gaze flicking to the red woman who lead them when she began to speak. Ears would flick back worriedly at the mention of her injuries, though she supposed she could somewhat understand the need to crush that other pack. To lose a loved one was truly a terrible thing.

The more worrisome news was yet to come, however. It was the mention of enemies that had the healer on edge, glancing down at her son and daughter. Enemies... Would they dare try and hurt even her pups? Both had their handicaps... And oh how Ellis worried for them. Was terrified for their safety. She would lean down, licking Ty?s head. It was more to sooth herself than to soothe him, but she needed to do so. She could also feel her little Nova pressing against her leg, though the girl did not wear a worried face. But one of sheer determination.




"Speech"

"Settle down." Said my heart.

...and so here it was I would settle down.