It didn’t take long for the twins to arrive. Oddly enough, here they were now in full Adamant uniforms, which was a fresh look for them, though to differentiate the identical Chiaki- and Chiasa-, Chiaki- was in the skirt version of the uniform, while Chiasa- wore trousers. Chiaki- was holding the strange, eldritch Klein Bottle, and I could see faint sparks of deep violet energies drifting off it, only to fade and vanish, occasionally popping bato existence. Yeah, Spatial element is defihe most mysterious of the seven primary elements…

  “You called for us, Akio-sama?” “We are always happy to answer your call, Akio-sama.” The twins decred in their usual, extremely polite manner. Seeing me looking at them, they seemed a little embarrassed.

  “Is our uniform…” “Is it strange?” Chiaki- finished Chiasa-’s hesitaehey exged a meaningful gnce, before Chiasa- spoke up. “As shrine maidens of Hikawa-Kawagoe shrine roud of our attire. We are grateful to be born in a family that worships the Kami.”

  “However, we also serve you, Akio-sama, aake that as a matter of pride also. And this is the uniform of those who are favoured. So sometimes we wish to wear it.”

  It seemed saying that was a little tough for them, but I merely smiled gently at them. I’ve always felt protective of the twins since Kyoto. They nearly died, alongside Hotene-san and Keomi-. Sure, I accept now that it mostly wasn’t my fault, though as their leader and the person supposed to protect them, I still share some bme for not seeing Yamato-san’s ambitions and carelessness, for being uo correctly divine and prepare for the Fht I felt. It’s the same now. Though this time, we are doing everything we … I did think it was sometimes wrong to have people so young train and prepare, even fight, though under safe ditions and well supported, but Daiyu’s thoughts on Cultivation aligned with mine, in general. To build a firm foundation one had to start young, and in this world, only the strong could decide their own fates. Before, it was the rich. But money won’t save anyone when the world truly bees dangerous. Of course, we still need money now, of course…

  “I think they look good on you. Yirls, so wearing the same thing all the time is a bit b. Sometimes you should dress up. Anyway, I called you here about the Klein Bottle, and also… I know you’re close to grasping spatial element, so I wish to help.” Behind me, Shiro rolled her eyes at my ents, looking amused, but I ignored her.

  “Close? Not so close.” “No, it is very difficult.” “But we persevere. It will be the way we help most.” “We have no wish to tread the same ground as others. We want to be of service.” The twins spoke rapidly.

  “Yes, I see why. You gave up the ces to master other elements because you feared it would make it harder for you to help others… I respect that. But that’s why I want to help you. After all, other than Arisu-san, I’m the only oh experience here. Though without Haru it might be hard to unicate that properly.”

  The twins exged gnces, silent and discussing matters between themselves, before they turo me and spoke in unison. “I believe it might be possible. We have ected to many minds, with help from Haru-sama, touched many thoughts, and shared them. Now… we ect with Ren-sama even without her, and we believe some others are possible too. You… would be one of them, Akio-sama.”

  “Me?” I asked, surprised, and the twins nodded.

  “Yes, there is a e between us.” “Our minds touch yours.”

  “Maybe it’s because we’ve linked via Haru a number of times?” I asked, and the twins said they didn’t know. Curious, I opened my mind, just like I would to Haru, and I felt clumsy brushes against my thoughts. The twins screwed up their eyes in tration, gng at each other with faces filled with determination, and soft touches on my mind intensified. Moments ter, I felt them…

  Akio-sama, you hear us? you hear us Akio-sama?

  Yes, I ! I thought back, surprised, although the mental voices were faint and distorted, as if ing to me from a great distaurning to Shiro, who was still watg along with everyone else, I asked Tan a question.

  “I know we get better with training, and for those of us who have Favours it’s certainly far easier, but… should it be this easy? I don’t want to disparage the hard work of the twins…” At my warm thoughts they looked shy but resolute. “…and they are certainly born talented, one in a million.” The twins could also tell truth from lies on many occasions, and they felt the truth of my words, feeling even shyer. “But despite that, it seems strahey boost their abilities so. Although…” I scratched my , thinking. “…is it the good enviro and everyone w together?”

  Shired, and her hair turned crimson, fmes lig over her long locks, her eyes ruby as well, Tan waking up from her half-slumber. “This world is on the far fringes, long starved of ether, and so talents have withered and died. Worlds within the higher Astral, within the Pantheons, they have a great preponderance of special abilities beings of all kinds are born with. Not every mortal or spiritual being or monster or any of the myriad dwellers above that outhe creatures on your world many million times over is born with talents. No, not even close. But merely looking at humans and simir kinds of mortals, perhaps ten pert have bloodlialents. So yes… many strive to upgrade their gifts, and many will succeed. But it is a hard process, requiring great Fortune and talent. It does happen by rare occasions, but I agree. The speed ress here tio impress me. I believe I uand the answer, but… once more I am not at liberty to speak of it.” With that she vahough as always what she didn’t say was indicative, as with her final motion her eyes shifted, staring at my right wrist as Shiro returo trol of her body.

  “Tan hid her thoughts even from me, Aki, but…” Shiro rubbed at her eye, the right eye.

  “It’s okay. I get it.” Holy everything all fits into pce. Just like everything is… ected. I think… My gaze strayed to Asha, atg calmly, idly rubbing her belly every so often. Seeing that made me feel simultaneously warm and a little afraid. I still hardly believe I’m going to be a father. But like every parent, I want my kids to grow up in a safe world, to be happy ahy and follow their dreams. Though it’s definitely going to be harder for Asha’s daughters, I’m sure… I was in a hurry to implement all the pns we had made, hence ere pushing Asha’s Tree to its limits to flood us with insane amounts of ether for the level Earth was at, as well as taking all the little hints I’d obtained from Tan, my Eye, Yasaka-san’s Book of Providend even Daiyu’s Cultivation and knowledge from Yōkai and Fae, putting it all together for my master pn. But we don’t have time for patience. Eveing aside the ominous Fht and Tsukiko’s vision of the White Dragon attag, the main body of that damn golden toad will be rec, and I don’t think we face it yet, not its full strength. So…

  “ you keep sharing your thoughts?” I asked the twins, who hey started passing along images of their insights into the spatial element, though the pictures were faded and covered with faint statiething like what I’d imagine an old-fashioV might look like with a bad signal. Fog on their mental es, I felt once again the sadhat I’d put them through such trauma in Kyoto.

  It is not something to be sorry about. Yes, we followed Uchida-sama of our own will. We regret it. Not because we got hurt. No, because we had assured you we would not veo the world of the Kami recklessly. But our respected father and Ren-sama wanted us to honour the prior itments of Hikawa-Kawagoe shrihat is why… yes, that is why… we will try hard. And not betray your trust again. Akio-sama take heart. Do not despair, Akio-sama.

  The twins’ overpping thoughts came at me in a tide, and I felt both their sadness and trust in me. I see. Obviously I’m not the only person that regrets that whole mess. Holy, girls… I ’t bme you. You just followed your superiors, and even then, you did your best. I tried to grasp their thoughts and the images, clearing out the static, bringing it closer somehow.

  We respect you like we respect Ren-sama, our brother. Yes, our brother. You… you are our brother too, who guides and protects us. We feel ashamed we made you worry. Ren-sama strove for our sake. As did you, Akio-sama. her of you failed us. Because we both still live.

  I see. It won’t happen again though. I promise.

  You ot promise that Akio-sama! No, there is no way you manage every risk! But if you do your utmost to protect us… and we do what we do to aid you… if everyone does everything they , we … then any sadness, any losses are iable. But we believe you will guide us all through the best path you . Yes, events have proved that!

  They were right. The twin sisters, their thoughts tinuing to overp, either expressing the same thought in their slightly different ways, or finishing each other’s ideas, had e to the correct clusion, even at their young age. Despite, no, perhaps because of their traumatic experiehey uood the risks and the iabilities more than anyone. Despite our efforts, there were threats out there whiatched anything we could imagine. All we could do repare the best we could, minimise dangers and maximise advantages.

  I’m your brother, huh? Seems I’m colleg sisters retly, what with Haanōbō. Holy, Kin Bonding Aoration frustrated me as a Skill. I was endlessly grateful to it, as without it, Tsukiko would have died irreversibly. But unlike Shaeu, who could see anyone she was close to as her Kin, I struggled, having it limited to my family and the family of my lovers, leadio need mental gymnastics to vince myself enough for the skill to work. But then… you don’t need blood retions to be a family, to be Kin… you just need a strong bond aions…

  As I pulled the thoughts the twins were sharing into focus, I felt a ge ihose under my prote were certainly my Kin, my family. With that certainty now in my mind, I felt a ge, and suddenly additional weights were ected to my spirit. The sensation was heavy, almost burdensome, but it was a feeling I weled.

  Your Skill, Kin Bonding aoration, has advanced from Rank 6 to Rank 7, as you uand the depth and fragility of bonds at an ever-deeper level. Any Skill or ability that involves a bond with another you share together will be signifitly strengthened, and the breadth of those you be bonded with increases, though the pressure on your spirit and ???????? will be greater. All those boo you who are not otherwise blessed with deeper emotions gain the bes of a single Rank of the subsumed skill Lovers’ Link.

  It wasn’t just me who felt the ge. The twins telepathy was brought into sharper focus, and I could also feel Shaeu through our shared Skill, her amusement and pride pin. In addition, Eri, who was still with me oerial, dealing with the exasperating Christina Bakker, sent me her thoughts, only to be surprised by the oute.

  Akio, I felt a ge… I didn’t want that woman to overhear… huh? Wait, I hear the twins? Is Haru-san there… no, she isn’t?

  The twins replied back, and the three of them had a versation in my head, and I found myself smiling, imagining what Haru must have felt when she was the trol tower for roup Telepathy. Oerial, Christina was making a call to her boss, Adam White, but wasn’t hiding what she was asking about, which was my demands for the return of the bodies of and living Chosen of Norse and Japanese Pantheons.

  I see, well, that’s great. Though I’m not sure what I think of you granting Lovers’ Link to such young girls. Eri’s thoughts were chill, but as I made to expin, suddenly I felt warmth, like sunlight melting through the ice of winter. Oh, I’m merely teasing you, Akio. I don’t think you’d do anything untoward, no more than I expect you to pouny mother, or heaven forbid, my father, just because you are close enough to them ao grant them the Skill. It really should be rehough… the multiverse is rather teasing… She paused, thinking at the twins. Anyway, gratutions. Even one Rank is what… fourteen or fifteen levels you gain now? That’s the sort of strength that ge a life.

  The twins agreed, and it wasn’t just them. Sure, there were many people under me, both Fae and mortal, who weren’t yet boo me, but I felt it ossible, now, though I was ed about the effey spirit of so may bonds. Though if the loerm pn works as I suspect it will… that aside, I experience your thoughts clearly. Are you ready?

  The twins nodded and added their affirmative thoughts, and we dived in together, sharing my experiences as I mastered spatial element. The Klein Bottle shimmered, and though its output was insuffit, I supplied it with my own slowly rec spatial element, somehow crossing the outer boundary that had ranor exit, and the purple shimmer intensified. The twins watched, abs everything I felt and thought, as well as all the insights I had gleaned from study and the knowledgeable Arisu-san. Time passed, and the twins looked at each other in wonder, expressions bright.

  Chiasa, I feel it! So I, Chiaki! It is like my mind has expao enpass you! I feel you as if you were me! The twins talked bad forth with their minds, as I watched with my Eye. Spatial element from the bottle was drawn into their Chakras, and while they eaprehended a slightly different amount of knowledge, their Chakras abs it in different ways, with their shared thoughts they were able to biheir insights, where one succeeded, the other did too, and where one made mistakes, the other could head them off. That’s not all though.

  Akio-sama… we have heard each other, felt the bonds between each other, from childhood. Yes, that is correct. I have always heard my sister. And I have heard you too. But now we hear you as well, and we felt the boween us. But we are experienced with bonds. So we use it…

  “That’s surprising, but… very, very clever.” I said out loud, surprised. Shiro and the others asked what was happening, but I waved them to silence, promising to answer questiohe twins had somehow incorporated the invisible, intangible strands of my Kin Bonding into a way to share more than just their thoughts. That begged the question of just where the Bonds themselves were, as by that it seemed like they had some sort of physical form, but as my Eye shone, I iigated the new Skill, taking insights from it myself. Is it the Silver Cord? That was my first guess, but since I don’t have one now, aher do some Fae I suddenly find myself bonded with… that ’t be right, it? I don’t know enough yet…

  Twin Bound Lunar Chakra works is a Skill that binds together identical Chakra works, using aing bond of spirit and ????????, as well as Spatial Element. The progress on one will be reflected iher, and insights be shared freely. Aether, Adherence, ???????? and Elements be shared freely between both works.

  Yeah, that’s something that definitely only be used by identical twins. Well, twins aren’t truly identical, but since Chiaki- and Chiasa- also share their thoughts stantly they are as close as it’s possible to be, I’d say… While I certainly couldn’t make use of that Skill, it did remind me of Eri’s Rank 11 Lovers’ Link and the bes it had. Perhaps I make improvements… the inability to transfer elements limits the usefulness a lot…

  “Are you pleased, Akio-sama?” “We succeeded, thanks to your aid, Akio-sama.” The twins said, exhausted, so I patted them both on the head with a smile.

  “Yes, I’m pleased for you. But the hard work begins now.” I took the Klein bottle from them. “Now you o learn as many elements as you . You have the tools. You’ll be our best resource, just like a library of knowledge that you share with everyone. But before that…” My smile was wry. “…it’d be i to maximise your Levels. someoake the twins down to the o to hunt some monsters?”

  Several Fae members of Adamant agreed to that, and the twins were led off, tired but proud. “So, they mastered it then?” Shiro asked, and I nodded.

  “Yes, and in a rather stra poetic way. But now I have other priorities. But first I need a rest.” I looked down at the Klein Bottle, slowly produg a trickle of spatial element, and sighed. “I really want to make Daiyu’s birthday present, Time’s tig.”

  “Want a back rub, Aki?” Shiro teased, smirking. “By the way, my birthday I’m expeg a wonderful gift. I should really get two, as Tan’s birthday should get me a gift as well.” She massaged my shoulders, which was embarrassing, as a lot of crafters and artisans were still waiting eagerly for my work.

  “A gift for you? Sure. And Tan… she’s been a great help so I suspect I give her a gift. But… we’ll see if I get you both what I want to.” Though of course I’m only resting here. Oerial…

  ********

  “All right.” Christina decred boldly. “Adam’s certainly agreed in principle to release the body of Egil Andersen, assuming that America’s reputation be protected.”

  “Protected? That’s surely a joke.” Eri scoffed. “You kidnapped him from a fn try and experimented on him until he died. If you think you push the bme on an act or Akio…”

  “It was an act, teically.” Christina pouted. “And teicalities are everything in this world. But you know we ’t agree otherwise. It’s not just a matter for the NSA Paranormal Branymore. This goes all the , even to the President. While I certainly promised to help you so long as it doesn’t get me executed for treason, and I’d do nearly anything to find out more about how everything really works… sadly it’s not me you have to vince.”

  “While I certainly agree with Eri that I’m not ied in helping America evade justice for its crimes…” I sighed, exhausted both physically aally from dealing with the mercurial woman, as well as my efforts crafting and aiding the twins in their breakthroughs. The gains have been worth my struggles though. “…I also have to be pragmatic. So, what do you want?” I asked bluntly, and Christina giggled in a flirty manner, making Eri’s expression thunderous.

  “Me? I ask for things? How delightful. Oh, you mean America? Such a shame…” she teased, sensing she had the upper hand, though since I had underpyed how much I needed his body back, I still actually held the advantage. “inally, we wao poach you. Well, I doubt Adam has ged his mind. It might seem impossible, but Adam’s a pragmatist, and when he decides something is necessary, he won’t stop until he achieves his goal. Past disputes be fiven, aerday’s enemy be today’s ally, and tomorrow’s firm friend. So it’s simple. All we ask is you collect the body yourself from us, as well as any others who meet the criteria you set out.” Eri was fuming as she spoke, and I was rather incredulous myself at the sheer boldness of the Ameris. “Adam wants to meet you, and so do several other people of rather high status. We don’t think that’s too much to ask for our cooperation.”

  “You don’t think?” Eri exploded, struggling to keep from transf into her half-Bakeneko form and growing talons to slice her. “You tried to abduct Akio and now you want him to willingly go to America? Are you insane?”

  “I hear I am rather often, though I don’t think so.” Christina shrugged. “But it’s not my demand. I still think it’s not a bad deal for you, being an Ameri citizen. Everything is about price, you know. There’s no impossible demands, only unworthy rewards.” Christina was talking from the pybook of Capitalism. “Money, nd, research materials… but that’s not all.” She grinned. “Holy, you o sell yourself better. You think Japan or Britain pay you what you’re truly worth? Think big. If you care about Japan, you could be the glue that holds a true alliaogether. I daresay Adam would even throw me in as a bonus. If you were naturalised as an Ameri I wouldn’t be in danger, and I could bug you all I want… I mean I could aid you in your efforts.” Her smile was wicked as she fronted Eri. “I hear you went to Las Vegas. Didn’t you enjoy it, that lifestyle? You’d be a VIP too, your family as well, able to rub shoulders with celebrities, enjoy all the fihings the world’s richest try has to offer. Just think about it. Besides…” Her expression was now knowing. “If you don’t trust us and fear it’s a trap for you and yirls, you e alone. You seem fident we ’t do anything to you. In fact, it’s Adam shouldering the risk here. If you wao kill him, could we stop you?”

  “That’s a fair point.” I ceded, rather annoyed. “I don’t believe that America defeat me without paying a truly ruinous price. But I’m also not a fool. I don’t know everything. It seems a risk for little be.”

  “You think?” Christina disagreed. “We believe we’ve discovered almost every Chosen in America. We have the NSA, and the best wiretaps and listening posts in the business. I don’t believe it would be hard to get you permission to meet any of them from the Norse or Japanese Pantheons, since acc to you we should pay more attention to that anyway, so we’d have to colte the data…” she paused. “Think about it, hmm? It’s just like I said, there’s no impossible demands, just… suitable prices.”

  With that Eri and I left, and on the way out, Eri looked at me, troubled. “Akio, it’s probably a trap. I know you handle yourself, but…”

  “I’m not sure it is a trap.” I shook my head in denial. “They could shoot down the pne I’m flying on and I’d almost certainly survive it, uhey used a damn nuke. Even then, my Astral body would be rgely fine. And if they ambushed me in the Boundary… sure, America likely has many more Chosen than we do, so I ’t say there aren’t any powerhouses… but I would imagihe ruinous cost they’d suffer if I defended myself would put them off if they aren’t idiots. Evehey’d have to take me out in both realms at once, and they likely don’t know that or could achieve it…”

  “That’s true, but… what if something bad happens while you’re away?” Eri asked. “I’m worried.”

  “I am too.” I admitted. “But I ’t stay in Japan all the time.” I looked at my phone, where I had a message from an unusual source. Mayumi-san had tacted me, saying that she had arranged everything for a trip to South Africa, and that going across the border to Botswana wouldn’t be a problem. Hinata had mentio to her, apparently, and Miss Lindiwe was eager to see me and also Mayumi-san to thank us again for my Healing. That wasn’t the only message. stantine and his sister had sent word that the person they had goo speak to on my behalf was at least ied in heari, and I also had to visit Germany as well to tie up a loose end that the Greek twins had mentioned. “I have to secure as much advantage as I ow, before things spiral out of trol. What I don’t take, others will, or worse, it’ll be lost forever. And I do need Egil’s body. And there’s at least one more in America.” Yasaka-san might have found more locations for me as well. As for the one in Australia, that might have to wait. “The problem is twofold. I’m w on emp everyone, and we are in a less vulnerable position now that we have Nie Ling and Ginneka. But time is the ch.” I couldn’t make things fit. Greece, Germany, South Africa, Botswana and now America. That would take a signifit time iment, even if I left out Australia.

  “There’s Daiyu’s birthday on Monday, then the cert at the weekend, then not long after that it’s Shaeu’s birthday. Then we run into the Pilgrimage pns over Christmas and New Year, then there’s the trip to Britain for the Honours ceremony, and then the first full moon of year I have to be in the Fae realms. Sure, I split myself in two, but that leaves no leeway for error.”

  “You don’t have to manage everything yourself.” Eri pointed out, hugging me close. Cat ears peeked out of her hair, and a shing tail protruded from her clothes. They had been subtly modified so as not to expose her underwear or bare skin when she couldn’t trol her transformatioo emotion. “Daiyu’s birthday… well, you ’t miss that. I won’t allow it. Shaeu’s birthday her.” Eri insisted. “They need days as wonderful as mine was. But the cert… that doesn’t need your personal touch. I know you want it to be a success. But we manage. Arisugawa-san knows what she’s doing, and Suzu-san is very ied. In fact, if you leave it to Aiko and Hinata, I imagihey’ll make sure it goes off without a hitch, and they’ll thank you for it. If you do it that way, won’t you have more than ten days free? Yes, you’ll lose some ether, but with the right preparation that be minimised. I believe in you, Shiro and Asha.”

  Looking at Eri, I pondered her words, before realising she was right. “Yes, though I ’t use all of that time. But I certainly put something together…” My thoughts ing, I sidered my options, only to stop dead at Eri’s words.

  “And now we head home. Tsukiko and her family will be waiting. Don’t fet you ditched them to rush to Tokyo in a hurry. Tsukiko won’t be angry, but… you’ll o make it up to her.”

  She’s right. I will. And her family and Yukiko-san too. Yeah, there’s just no time for everything I o aplish. I do o delegate more. Right, I’ll hand off the cert security to my sis and the others…

  ********

  Spatial Ste Ring [Item Css: Powerful] [Item Type: Rule]

  This ring made from materials from an unusual Tree, as well as Kobold Bluesteel, elegantly crafted, tains a small pocket of space within. It is keyed to the spatial coordinates of the wearer, and while separate, is affected by the Laws of the surrounding space. Matter be pced within freely and withdrawn equally easily, though doing so gradually depletes the Spatial Element stored within, and it will o be replenished in time.

  “I’m jealous, aren’t you, Asha?” Shiro said, looking at the small yet elegant silver-blue ring in my hand. “Though I guess Aki already got me a ring.” She touched her crude one made from cutlery the day I proposed to her. I had offered another, but she insisted she liked that one.

  “I seldom wear much jewellery, nor even remember the time of my birth.” Asha shrugged. “But receiving a gift is alleasing.”

  “Well, Spatial Rings just scream Cultivatht?” I insisted. “And girls love jewellery.” The ring I had crafted wasn’t that powerful, it couldn’t stop time for things inside and the space it could store here just over a couple of metres in diameter, but it showed what ossible. It also allows Daiyu to carry a few things for emergencies. Her ability is mostly defensive. Sure, being able regee from great injuries is reassuring, but it won’t win battles alone. I don’t wao have to suffer for victory.

  Bjarki snatched it from me, eyeing it carefully, while several other Mortal Engineers and bcksmiths crowded around, experimenting by putting things in and taking things out. Seeing that, Shiro snorted. “Trying to repce Arisu’s Room, huh? A bold move, Aki.”

  “Hardly. Though I do admit to taking some inspiration. Holy, the size of the interior could probably be made rger quite easily, it’s the a of shaping the spad opening it up that drains spatial element. But I don’t think it’s bad for a first effort.”

  As everyone agreed, ba the Material I had returned home, while here in the Boundary several tired voices sounded behind me. “Akio, you are here.” Motoko said, and Natsumi echoed her.

  “Hi Akio. What’s up?”

  Seeing the two girls, both covered i and clearly exhausted, my Eye glimmered, and I assessed their patibility with Jumong’s Favour. Not enough. I feel it’s certainly higher than before, but her of them are able to use it to anywhere near its full potential. But that’s not important right now. What is… A little nervous, I gnced over at the ed bu aside at my makeshift workshop. Seeing that, Asha picked it up gently, and brought it over to me. I took it, before handing it over to Motoko. “Girls… I’ve got a present for you. It won’t help you win this challenge, but…”

  “For us?” Natsumi said, a delighted smile brightening up her tired face. Motoko seemed equally pleased, and they gently uned the buogether, revealing the twinned swords within.

  “This is…” Motoko breathed, her face expressing a mixture of joy and fusion.

  “It couldn’t be…” Natsumi was equally stunned.

  “It could be. I hope you aren’t too mad at me, but I got yrandfather’s permission first Motoko.” I took a deep breath. “Motoko, Natsumi…” I paused for emphasis. “Having to share your precious ons is inve, but I didn’t want to disregard your love for them and just make you new ones so… I hope you like it.” As I awaited their response, I felt terribly nervous. Utsuroihebi recious to the girls as their lives, and I hoped my versions made them feel the same. They should. Each tains half of the inal on, so the spirit of the sword should still dwell in each, if such a this… Waiting for their response, ierial Eri urged me towards the door of our home, so I was doubly pensive…

  ShipTeaser