".....And it's the citizens that will suffer." (Open to GA/COTBR Only)

[Jacen Voidstalker]

Jacen and the two other members of the delegation headed towards the conference centre. Building such facilities into space ports was excellent business and could significantly increase the profitability per square metre of land. Not that space came in two dimensional cost now. Most civilised worlds charged and taxed for land based on the volume occupied by structures to try and keep upwards expansion down.

"We are here with the Alliance delegation?" he asked someone behind a desk, looking for directions.

[member="Sanya Val Lerium"]

 

[Grima Volitu]

Avreet may fool others by masking his pain - but not her. She didn't require the Force to explain to her how much pain he was in. His eyes spoke volumes tugging her heart strings to the brink of snapping. "We will discuss this later, love. Now hold still." Calling the swirling energies of the Dark Side to her - cupping them in her hand - she focused her will and the energy to her beloved's leg. Through the Force she could 'see' the damage to his leg undone - his muscles strengthened and the bone that was slightly askew right itself. "This is only a temporary fix, Avreet. Dark Healing in not a permanent solution - but it will serve you long enough to hide that limp."

"Now for that drink." Grima had scoped out the spaceport whilst she waited for dear, sweet Avreet to arrive. There was such a place that sold a variety of drinks - most catering to the needs of the melting pot of species that shared the galaxy. Grima led her love to the kiosk whilst debating to chide him for his foolishness. This pink elephant that had taken up residence in the room needed to be addressed. His running off to war to aid the Sith simply could not be tolerated - or forgiven. Despite the need to discuss this rather than let it hang over them like a storm cloud - waiting to dump it's payload down upon them - was not the place to speak of such things.

Grima looked over and saw Avreet still using his cane to walk with. "You don't need that crutch." Before Avreet could object - she ripped the cane from him sending it sprawling down the spaceports hallway. "Now you look formidable. Just looking at you send shivers of fear down my spine." Grima began to laugh. Both Avreet and herself knew she feared nothing - especially Sith and Jedi alike. Or militant children.

Grima ordered two teas for them - feeling a heavy drink of infused spirits would only cloud their judgment and senses. She didn't trust the whole situation. Jedi - like Sith - could not be counted on to keep their word. Of course these militant children as Avreet called them probably felt the same way about the Black Rose. Trust was a two-way street and yet deep down she believed only one side was willing to lay down the foundation of truth here today. Handing a frosty mug of tea to Avreet - she said mockingly, "To the militant children. May common sense allow them to grow into militant adults."

[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Sanya Val Lerium]

As Sanya sat there waiting for other to turn up she pondered where they where. She had received notification that they had arrived at the outpost and she had sent a message to those of the GA diplomats that where to attend the meeting. If anything she felt as they didn't much care for this meeting after pushing us so hard to attend. Hell Sanya could have been asleep with her fiancé right now, but she dropped everything to attend this. Pulling out her data pad again she sent out another message.



[background='#3399ff']
to: [member="Jacen Voidstalker"], [member="Coren Starchaser"], [member="Chevu Visz"], [member="Coren Starchaser"]
Subject: Diplomatic meeting

Message

Dear Galactic Alliance diplomats

I have been made aware of your presence on the station. I'm sending out this message to inform you we are waiting on your members to begin the meeting. You have made it clear to us you wanted this meeting and yet you are showing up late. I don't expect a reason why but I do expect you to take this seriously.

Sanya Val Lerium
[/background]

[Send]

[member="Grima Volitu"] Ξ [member="Darth Veles"] Ξ [member="Qyren Leret"] Ξ [member="Solan Charr"] Ξ [member="Darth Rapax"] Ξ [member="Xhexania"] Ξ [member="Rook"] [member="Aela Talith"] Ξ [member="Ijaat Akun"] Ξ [member="Zaria"]

 

[Darth Veles]

It was touching to see a Sith Lady care for another being so much, very unusual among their kind. Dark energy washed over Veles, coursing through his body in a burning sensation that left behind a tingle, mending the injuries he had suffered in an unnatural process so very different from Force healing in the Light Side’s arsenal. Exactly as the red-skinned Togruta stated – the effect of the Dark Side power was only temporary, mending the wounds, leaving only the pain as all injuries slowly started to return to their unhealed state. The Mon Cal appreciated his heavenly’s gesture, even if he didn’t really need it; as evidenced by the flawless switch between crippled hobble and normal walk. No comment on the matter left his mouth though, his form silently pacing beside the exotic beauty leading the two of them towards a small kiosk providing first aid to travellers desperate for a drink. Not that this place saw many beings hang around; while safe from the deadly frost reigning outside, it was still uncomfortably cold in the landing bay.

Only after the Togruta disposed of the black cane still wielded by the Mon Cal, Veles finally took action, smirking at her words regarding fear as one large eye followed the stick’s trajectory before it disappeared in the landing bay’s shadows with a knock, out of reach - unlike a certain woman. Now was a great opportunity to ‘strike’. One of the amphibian’s webbed hands moved towards the Togruta's lower regions while the Sith Lady stood conveniently close, brushing against the woman’s inner thigh gently and travelling up before parting and bringing an end to this short and intimate moment meant to do nothing more than to tease the Crimson Messiah a bit.

“Shivers of fear, my lady? I had hoped for a different kind of shivers,” he commented with a sly smile before his soft and hearty chuckle joined the old Togruta’s laughter. It used to be such a rare occasion to hear the Sith Lady laugh – after the start of their relationship, it’s become a much more common occurrence.

Two mugs of tea found their way towards the duo. Watching his beloved mentor with strange kindness mirrored in his large eyes, the Mon Cal accepted the mug offered to him and grimaced when lady Zarrah poked fun at their ‘friends’. Grima’s mockery did not go unanswered – the roguish smirk on Veles’ face has been replaced by a serious, stone cold expression as his hand raised the mug high into the air in celebration of this meeting with the Galactic Alliance, his voice loud as his cheer travelled through the landing bay.

“To the great heroes of the Galactic Alliance, fearless men and women who have defeated the One Sith, vanquishing their evil once and for all! We shall eternally celebrate their sacrifices and brave deeds, and forever remember their actions! They have our sincerest thanks for stopping all wars in the galaxy, breaking the spine of organized crime, delivering a fatal blow to slavery, and ending every day’s mass murder happening in the former One Sith space, saving billions of people who would have died otherwise! Let us be grateful they have nothing better to do with their time now than to threaten groups of Force sensitives who are not in their order! May the flames of their self-righteous ignorance never go out!”

Finally bringing the mug to his lips and letting the hot tea in, savouring its strong flavour, Avreet relaxed, basking in his lover’s presence.

 

[Chevu Visz]

When Chevu's Datapad pinged, she lowered her head to read the message. Well, it was hardly one of the warmest welcomes.

Nodding at [member="Jacen Voidstalker"] Chevu sent a message back to [member="Sanya Val Lerium"] that simply read:

"Which building and room do you want us in?"

She thought it was very strange that Miss Val Lerium mentioned that the Galactic Alliance initiated the diplomatic meeting, as it was the members of the Black Rose who reached out to their Chief of State, Caita Xan to see if the Alliance wanted to have diplomatic talks.

After all, the Galactic Alliance had little reason to negotiate with dark siders, much less let them linger in their backyard for too long. With that in mind, Chevu could only assume that Miss Val Lerium was merely the victim of a miscommunication from her own staff.

[member="Coren Starchaser"] [member="The Revenant"] [member="Darth Veles"] [member="Rook"] [member="Darth Rapax"] [member="Grima Volitu"] [member="Qyren Leret"] [member="Solan Charr"] [member="Xhexania"] [member="Ijaat Akun"]

 

[Sanya Val Lerium]

[member="Chevu Visz"]

to:Chevu Visa
Subject: Diplomatic meeting

The meeting is in room 023. Look for the room with security personnel stationed outside and they will give you instructions before entering the room.

[background='#3366ff'][send][/background]

ooc: check post #34 for how I entered. Should be the same procedure.

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Jogr was paying attention, but he was also looking around. Looking for exits, checking for structural integrity of the building, the whole nine yards. He wanted to make sure that should poodoo hit the fan, everyone was going to have the same chance to get out in one piece. Once the meeting started, he’d focus on the task at hand, but until then, it was situational awareness, with Chevu, someone he recognized as they both worked with, her more closely, Coren Starchaser.

Since there really wasn’t a good comlink to get Coren on, with the man being constantly moving, the message did arrive to the office comm and he looked at the pair of Jedi. So, people were texting now. Part of him, because of one girlfriend or another, half expected the message to come through as ‘Where u? u late, bring your jedi BFF, ttys’ or some manner of text-speak.

Thankfully it wasn’t.

And Chevu was already on the where, and hopefully the why they’re being accused of running late when there was no meeting room provided.

*****​

On his ship, Coren Starchaser was still playing sabacc. But he did put the bottle down. Chevu’s orders.

 

[Jacen Voidstalker]

[member="Sanya Val Lerium"]
[member="Chevu Visz"]

"I'm sorry...a what?" Jacen asked incredulously.

"A Force suppression bracelet," remarked the guard.

"Standard issue at spaceport conference centres are they?" Jacen asked again, the corner of his mouth twitched.

"You'll need to put one on to go in sir," replied the guard. The threat of Jacen's smile did nothing to change his stoic expression.

"Well then, I guess we'll just wait out here until they come out," Jacen replied with a curt nod. It was one thing to hand over his lightsaber, however it was quite another to use some device to break his connection to the Force. He wouldn't readily step into a meeting with one of the Dark Lord's very favourites without at least a slim chance of sensing the danger coming. Fortunately Jacen had years of practise at withering looks. The Company Commander still in him cross his arms over his chest, leant back against the corridor and held the guard's gaze until he looked uncomfortable.

 

[Chevu Visz]

The Mirialan stood next to Master Jacen with a quizzical expression. Why weren't they going inside? Oh. They were being asked to wear Force suppression bands. A dull panic consumed Chevu at the thought of having one of those things snapped around her neck or her wrists. Captured and sold to the Hutt Cartel, Chevu was a slave before Master Oomomo found her and freed her. One thing she swore that she'd never wear again was a collar or cuffs in any shape or form.

The Knight also refused to give up her weapons. Meeting with darksiders without her weapons? Madness. Her protection was staying on her gear belt.

Chevu once put herself in jeopardy, trusting someone on Taris who turned out to be a Sith Lord of the highest order. Fortunately for the naive Knight, the outcome was less disastrous than it could have been. If it weren't for the Sith Lord's trapped twin, tucked away inside Reverance's psyche, she would have likely been flayed alive.

At the thought of him, she turned to [member="The Revenant"] and smiled. Understandably the Mirialan was extra-cautious now.

[member="Jacen Voidstalker"] [member="Sanya Val Lerium"]

 

[Gabriel Sionoma]

He caught the wayward smile of the woman, otherwise entranced by her gestures. He felt the anxiety wash over her as her and Jacen seemed to be turned away from the guard. Rubbing his beard beneath his hood, he cracked his neck and approached the guard. Looking up, he read room 023 and exhaled. Demanding of weapons and a force suppression bracelet. Pulling the lightsaber from his back, a generic one taken from the academy of Sullust. Holding out his wrist, the guard strapped the device to his wrist and he felt a darkness come over him.

It's often hard for people to understand what it's like to be blind. It's not like you see blackness, you merely fail to see. Like trying to see out of the back of your head, it simply doesn't exist. And that's how he felt as he rubbed his wrist, feeling the weight of imprisonment swell around him once more. It wasn't unlike the shackles he had worn in the Academy. Giving the guard a look of I'll be right back, he turned and approached Jacen and Chevu. He rubbed his wrist again and smirked.

"I'll go in. Maybe they talk and we are brought clarity. Or maybe not..." His voice trailed off as he predicated their apprehension before they even had a chance to respond. "I'm not a Jedi Marshall or a former Jedi Marshall or anyone of importance." He frowned. "And standing here isn't going to help us move forward."

If the rose thought this force suppression bracelet was permanent, then they had never met a properly cornered jackal. In the face of betrayal, they might find out just how far this particular man was willing to go to survive. After all, he ripped his own eye out. And he was creative and not adverse to pain.

[member="Jacen Voidstalker"] | [member="Chevu Visz"] | [member="Sanya Val Lerium"]

 

[Grrwunhoooll Agaburry]

" I am allied with the Black Rose. I support their cause." he nodded at [member="Solan Charr"]. " If a fight you want... then maybe in time you shall get one." It was not the usasal response for Kezeroth to have when challenge but this just showed how death changed him slightly. " The members of the Rose asked me very nicely to not stirr up trouble.. Heh heh. I will stay obedient and for this time." he titled his head some and tapped his foot. The Epicanthix was wanting a fight in some form but there was also restraint.

Grabbing Solans inner forearm Kezeroth gripped it well, a traditional Vod greeting for the Mandalorians. As the Jedi and other began to wander away Kezeroth focused on [member="The Revenant"], [member="Chevu Visz"] & [member="Jacen Voidstalker"] as they were summoned to the meeting room. Giving Solan another nod Kezeroth walked away interested slightly what this meeting could result in. As the epicanthix walked he started to prepare his long hair and quickly set it up in a bun. He was tired of his hair blowing all in his face.

Over hearing slightly about a force suppression bracelet caused Keze to raise a large brow. The three of them seemed to stop ahead leaving the guard to wait more. Chuckling to himself Keze gave the Jedi some space but at the same time was close enough to be seen and heard. Having second thoughts about proceeding with watching the meeting now that he knew force suppression bracelets were going to happen and weapons removed. Kezeroth gazed at the bands with utter disgust. Brought back ancient memories of his past as a Sith slave and pet.

" Dont shoot the messenger Master Voidstalker. Imagine yourself in the Nether World!" Keze walked forward taking a braclet and cuffing it to his wrist. Keeping a rather fake smile Kezerith proceeded behind the robed Jedi dude [member="The Revenant"].


OOC: Srry if i Double tagged. Also.. no one tagged me in the new posts <_<

[member="Sanya Val Lerium"]
[member="Coren Starchaser"]

 

[Via Dolorosa]

She approached the conference room, spotting some of the GA delegates labouring outside, with a haunting smile. The guard in charge was having difficulty obtaining the weapons from a green-skin lass, who seemed to be focused on keeping her weapons, while another representative handed over his weapon and accepted the force suppression bracelet. At least one of them was making an attempt to be cordial.​

​

"Such attachments to your weapons during a delegation proceeding seems borderline paranoia," she mocked glancing at the crude instruments as she passed the green-skinned Jedi.​

​

"Are you paranoid, Jedi? Or are you just to blind with ambition to rid the galaxy of individuals who differ in beliefs than yourself? Such a noble crusade you have undertaken to unravel countless millennia of people's sacrifices to be treated....equal. Or is it a trust factor...you are aware trust is a two-way lane?"​

​

She turned to spare a brief look at the other GA delegate, who resembled one she had once called friend. Smirking, she looked this one-eye man up and down, shaking her head in amusement. No, this wasn't him. Oh how the Sith would love to hear how their great champion had betrayed them for the Jedi, making her schism between them look like child's play.​

​

"I see the GA employ doppelgangers. Charming," she said turning her back on both of the Jedi toward the guard.​

​

"Call me paranoid....but I'll keep my weapons, too," she announced over her shoulder with a wink to [member="Darth Rapax"].​

​

She allowed the guard to fasten the suppression device to her, for all the good it would do.​

​

​

[member="Sanya Val Lerium"] l [member="Chevu Visz"] l [member="Kezeroth the Unyielding"]​

 

[Rapax]

He saw how [member="Xhexania"] handled the situation and her wink when she requested keeping her weapons....clearly prepared for the worst...good he followed her into the room after letting the guard put the suppression band on him and waited for the rest to show up he kept his weapons too just incase..but none the less he followed her in and took a seat to wait for the other diplomats ...this was going to be a interesting conference indeed..

[member="Sanya Val Lerium"] [member="Chevu Visz"] [member="Kezeroth the Unyielding"]

 

[Chevu Visz]

The tall Mirialan dwarfed the diminutive delegate from the Black Rose who approached them. The other woman couldn't have been more than a hundred pounds wet. The Black Rose delegate locked her wild eyes on Chevu and, with her voice dripping with mockery, began to chastise her for keeping her weapons. After a ferocious blink, the Mirialan Knight's dark brown eyes stayed impassive as she studied the other woman. If Coren Starchaser were here, the dark sider would probably be eating a blaster beam right now. All things considered, the delegate was lucky that it was the less violence-prone apprentice that she challenged.

Chevu, a decorated combat Knight, was no diplomat, but it would seem to her that the last thing one would want to do upon entering into what were presumably peaceful talks, would be to talk down to the other party. Yet, the Black Rose delegate chose to make an insult her first impression. The woman's words changed little for the Mirialan. Chevu tried not to use anyone else's mirror to judge herself as often others' views tended to be distorted. Doubly so for those corrupted by the dark side. She said nothing in response to her slights, and let her pass into the room undisturbed.

With a glance at the guard to make sure she wouldn't be stopped, and a look towards Jacen Gabriel, and the Chiss named Jogr. Chevu entered the conference room and took a seat. She hoped Coren wasn't getting completely chit-faced back on the Shortfin. Force only knew if they'd need him to come dirtside.

Panning her gaze around the room, Chevu's onyx eyes came to rest upon a familiar set of armor. She blinked ferociously. Yep, that was him alright. On Gos Hutta, there was a dark sider who assaulted her with Sith illusions during a raid of a slave camp. The Mirialan shifted nervously in her seat. She was extremely uncomfortable that [member="Darth Rapax"] was here, and even more disturbed that she wasn't allowed to arrest the Sith right here and now.

[member="Jacen Voidstalker"] [member="The Revenant"] [member="Coren Starchaser"] [member="Xhexania"] [member="Kezeroth the Unyielding"] [member="Grima Volitu"] [member="Sanya Val Lerium"] [member="Darth Veles"] [member="Solan Charr"]

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Jogr, on the other hand from his Jedi counterparts had no real issue with the terms of the meeting, and if it kept the Black Rose harpies calm and collected, he’d do what was needed. Sure, if there was Coren Starchaser here, there would be ample amounts of testosterone driven renegade interrupts being thrown as people were trying to separate him from weapons and armor. Coren would have an issue with the Force, but when push came to shove, he followed suit with Jacen and Chevu.

“Might want to watch out for me, Jedi Master and all that.” Except Jogr wasn’t. The Chiss had exactly four skills, getting the most out of a paper clip, representing the GADF on a political scale, not writing illuminated texts and being a wise ass.

The nice thing about being Jogr though, was that he didn’t give a flying frak about the Jedi, or the Sith, or anyone. They were religious groups, crusaders on a mission to purge the galaxy from one another. What he did care about was the One Sith and their tyranny, and allowing mystics to make the choices of governing worlds. It was why Coren Starchaser would never rise above his Commander rank, never have anything more than a Corvette at his beck and call, because Force users were dangerous, a blight and an unpredictable risk.

But he did have some briefing, and part of that was to not feed the woman who was speaking. Let them talk themselves into whatever corner they deemed worthy for the future of the corner of the galaxy the two federations called home.

“Dopplegangers?” Jogr looked between Jacen and Chevu, then tried to think back to the men that he had brought. The unarmed desk jockey was not aware of any reports of turncoats being funded, or employed by any branch of the Alliance. They were kept in prisons, and sometimes, members of the Jedi like to take them on something he called a meta-walk, but that really wasn’t here nor there. Would one member who a commander wanted to put to death really bother people that much?

***​

How many hands was it? Coren looked to the gathered and was idly curious just how this place was set up. “So, then I says…” It was one of those stories that Coren had told for a while, he was fairly sure at least Rook and Ijaat had been there as well, but, for him, the story was still funny.

Because bar fights over bird seed.

[member="Chevu Visz"]
[member="Xhexania"]
[member="Kezeroth the Unyielding"]
[member="The Revenant"]
[member="Jacen Voidstalker"]

 

[Sanya Val Lerium]

[member="Darth Rapax"] Ξ [member="Xhexania"] Ξ [member="Kezeroth the Unyielding"] Ξ [member="Chevu Visz"] Ξ [member="Jacen Voidstalker"] Ξ [member="Coren Starchaser"]

Sanya could see and overhear the commotion outside and decided to investigate. Standing from the chair she moved to the door with a disappointed look on her face. "I have to admit I'm ashamed you are all not Cooperating." Displaying her wrist with the band on firm around it she looked at them. "They will be removed upon leaving the room. We don't trust you and you don't trust us thats fine. This is what the meeting is about am I correct? It's a chance to ask questions and answer them. The reason for the suppression band is so that we are all equals in this room and I'd still like to believe that. Would you disagree that any outside influences could compromise this meeting? How can we be sure you are ready to send out telepathic word outside this room to come in and take us captive. I'm aware a few of our people are here but have been asked to stay away from the meeting. It is only us three here and there should only be four of you."

Looking at [member="The Revenant"] with a distasteful look. "Under no circumstances is that monster aloud in this room and I find it offensive that you brought a sith here. How you are willingly stood next to it is giving me a bad impression already. As I'm aware you seek to destroy the sith from this galaxy. So why are you harboring the worst one?"

She would look to the girl she had once tried to save from slavery and displayed a small smile. "I'm also glad to see you had escaped from the horrid place I'd seen you last. If things hadn't gotten so bad I would have broke you out myself and then turn over that slaver scum to the republic. I'm still intending to so that although my trail had gone cold since then. Hell the credits I said I had was a lie, it was to buy time and get people to leave the auction. So it would have gave me a better chance. Although people had gotten the wrong intentions of my presents there. I intend to correct that. But still I'm glad to see you are in one piece." Looking at the security guard she have him a nod. "That man is not to enter this room at any costs." Pointing to the sith lord be for entering the room again. She had to admit if diplomacy wasn't important and she had her weapons and the access to the force that had temporaryly cut her off, she would arrest him personally and hand the monster to the republic as a gift. "Other than that no weapons in the room. If you do not wish to wear the suppression bracelets then fine but it just shows what type of people you truly are. Then again working with a monster in not exactly a good strike against your name." She would turn around and walk back to the seat she was sat in before. "Please everyone take a seat and we will get this started should we. Just in advance I will be recording this meeting to review at a later date and kept in our records that this event did happen." Sanya would sit back down setting the holo recorder to begin recording.

 

[Gabriel Sionoma]

He wondered who she was talking about, doppleganger. Oh, him? Interesting, he wasn't aware that the Darth Venefica had the ability to see through the lowered cowl of an armorweave robe. Interesting power, maybe she had changed. Or maybe not. Shrugging, he scratched his beard as he looked towards Jacen. "Well, I supposed that problem has solved itself."

Turning back towards the guard, he held out his hand. "I'll take my weapon back." He gave an expression that meant it wasn't a request. "Now, please. Thank you." The guard lifted the weapon from the container and handed it back to the man. As Gabriel approached the entrance, the guard held up his hand, placing it on his chest. Gabriel looked down at his hand and then back at the guard. "You waited to do that until after you gave me my weapon back? Curious." He stared quietly at the guard and tilted his head, the hand dropping. "Smart choice. I'll tell them that a different guard let me in."

Walking into the meeting room, he'd likely feel eyes upon him. Which was fine, he wasn't there for them. He was there for the Alliance, to remind them that these weren't good people. Something that he was reminded of when he saw the same particular Sith Knight he met on Gos Hutta. The same one that he had to force out of Chevu's mind. The very same that followed Animus, who killed freely and without remorse. The same one that offered the blood of the Mirialan, once he was finished with her. He took a seat next to Chevu, wearing a sort of frown that resembled the aggressive upper lip lift that a bear makes when assuming a territorial gait. He mentally opened himself up. A warrior didn't the force to wage war and war found itself upon many fronts. A lesson that Reverance had taught that to Chevu on Taris.

[member="Chevu Visz"] | [member="Jacen Voidstalker"] | [member="Coren Starchaser"] | [member="Sanya Val Lerium"] | [member="Darth Rapax"] | [member="Xhexania"] | [member="Kezeroth the Unyielding"]

 

[Sanya Val Lerium]

Ooc: as stated in mine and [member="Xhexania"]'s post only the 4 that was tagged are to enter the diplomatic room. Others will have to wait outside and interact with others if they so wish.

Those 4 are
[member="Chevu Visz"]
[member="Jacen Voidstalker"]
[member="Coren Starchaser"]
[member="Aela Talith"]


[member="The Revenant"] Please edit your post accordingly to follow these rules/guidelines. There is no exceptions to this rule.

 

[Chevu Visz]

OOC: From the planning PM, the only thing that the Factions agreed upon was this:

No forces, no fleets, and no capture

We have fully honored that request.

We ask that the rest of the thread remain IC, and the story is played out IC.

 

[Via Dolorosa]

OOC:

This is not the place for such debates. This is not an OOC thread. Please take all complaints, whining, and hurt feelings to the PM, please and thank you.

@Everyone