you opened your eyes, spreading it wide

[promittere]

THIRD QUARTER ALLEGRO

While our newly-arrived wizards have been settling in, learning their magic, and getting to know one another, the sage and their mentor have been busy with a different kind of work behind the scenes—bureaucratic work. It hasn't been particularly exciting, but it has paid off.

Because now, the world is ready to receive them.

Put on your finest clothes, because Granvelle Castle invites you to a welcome ball in your honor.

Didn't bring any fine clothes with you? No need to worry—specially chosen tailors from Central Capital have been commissioned to take care of you, and they will be visiting the manor to get you gussied up in the fashion of your choice for the day (by this, we mean feel free to pick whatever fancy clothes you want for the ball).

As the sun sets on the designated day, all the residents of the manor make their way to the castle. Granvelle Castle stands proud in Central Capital, its lights a beacon in the darkening city, and its doors open to outsiders for the first time in weeks. Upon arrival they're greeted by brightly lit halls, welcoming staff, and a grand ballroom, windows flung open to let in the spring breeze and pale moonlight. Everyone and everything seems determined to make this a cheerful affair, despite the underlying sense of dread and tension.

Live music fills the air, played the greatest musicians in the world. There are some larger ensembles, solo acts; some pieces are of more traditional folk dances, while some are slower, and some are upbeat and avant-garde. Regardless, the floor is open for dancing—grab a buddy and dance the night away!

Lining one wall is a long banquet table, filled with plenty of food and drink, both alcoholic and non to sate the new arrivals. The hors d'oeuvres and small plates comprise an array of delicacies from around the world, with everything from savory lobster bites to the sweetest portions of tres leches you have ever tasted. It seems someone has also put in a specific request for Japanese food—a part of the banquet table has been set aside specifically for Japanese dishes, and this includes small portions of ramen. There also seems to be a plate on the far end of the table filled with lovingly stacked pieces of charcoal... Is that meant to be food?

You aren't the only ones in attendance tonight. Representatives and dignitaries from around the world are also present—they have quite a lot to say about the unusual situation, and they are most curious about these otherworldly individuals tasked with fending off the moon under their national banners. The most dignitaries are from Central, West, and East, while there do seem to be a few representatives from the less populated North and South. Those from Central, West, and South in general seem to be the most social, while the rest are more reserved. There are also a few of the castle staff that seem (begrudgingly) willing to speak with the new wizards. Most are here to chat and mingle—lend them an ear, you may learn something new...

For those tired of socializing, the ballroom opens out onto a breezy, spacious balcony. It looks out over the main thoroughfare leading to the main castle entrance, and the nighttime lights of the Central capital twinkle in the near distance. For those that would rather take a breather, there is a small patio table and a couple of chairs. Despite the waxing moon in the sky, it is a very nice evening.

If you would like to have a chat with an NPC, then please respond to this comment. NPCs will be assigned randomly if no preference is given. While everyone has something valuable to say, they're not giving potentially sensitive info out for free—let's hope your diplomatic skills are up to snuff. We're doing our best to give everyone meaningful conversations, so please bear with us!

JOB BOARD

Rejuvenation. Thanks to your Southern friends' hard work, the South has been saved from a potentially devastating crop failure, and these fledgling towns can continue to grow as they're meant to! Give them a pat on the back and a round of applause.

But the South is not without its scars. While the root cause has been taken care of, the damage has been done. A town's wheat field has been partially destroyed—help them tear out the blackened, dead wheat, till and fertilize the soil, and replant what can be replanted. The City of Clouds, the most prosperous of the Southern settlements, have also offered extra tools, hands, and seeds to help set the town back on the path to recovery. Transport these supplies to the town. Let's hope your broom skills are up to snuff too, because it's a long ride.

Shadows in the night. The residents of the Central capital have recently been reporting eerie sightings after sundown: shadowy figures lurking in corners, the constant feeling of being watched, and, in some extreme cases, these shadowy figures attacking when traveling alone at night. Many reports seem to indicate an odd concentration of these creepy figures lurking around the Granvelle Castle moat, as though trying to find a way into the castle. Residents are understandably frightened and unnerved and cannot go about their nightly business—beat back what shadows you find and make the streets safer for the Central capital residents.

While physical attacks don't seem to do much against them, they dissipate rather easily under magic. Try not to wear yourself to the bone, though—there are a lot of them.

Escorting nobility. The Eastern Blanchett noble family have called an important meeting, inviting nobles and others of import from across the Eastern Country. However, their castle lies beyond Sherwood Forest, a very large, dense, and deep wood—while a fine natural defense for the Blanchett family, it's a bit of trouble for those looking to visit. While the Blanchett's own forest guard is absent, it is your job to safely escort these nobles to the Blanchett abode, and back out. But be careful: lurking in the shadows amongst the trees are all sorts of territorial predators like bears and wolves, not to mention the magical beasts that sneak up on unsuspecting prey. You may come across a brigand or bandit or two, since the forest is a near perfect hiding place for illegal activity. And please—try not to get lost.

Typical of any Easterner, the nobles are reluctant to make much small talk and are a bit suspicious of the new wizards, but they are otherwise pleasant and will generally comply with most requests.

WANDERER TASKS

Can you go a week without ruining food or the pots and pans? Stop being so wasteful and learn how to cook or stop trying.

Learn how to use magic to repair things. Again, if you're going to keep ruining the kitchen at least learn how to put it back together.

TATARA ACTIVITIES

I need milk. I'm trying to perfect latte foam art, but I haven't really gotten the hang of it yet... I used up all the milk (oops, sorry!), so I need more. Actually, could you grab me other kinds of milk while you're at it? I want to experiment! I'm sure other markets in the farther reaches of the world will have weirder milk... Please!

We should start a veggie garden! Or an herb garden? Doesn't matter! I found a nice sunny patch of grass in the training forest—we could dig up that spot, right? Help me get it set up! I need people to dig, and till... Oh! We need seeds to plant, too! Please and thank you~

OOC NOTES

🌙 Welcome to your second event post! Get out your snazzy outfits. It's time to party.
🌙 As you grow into your magic, your character might start realizing they can differentiate between everyone's magic. Everyone has a unique signature, and you may be able to start sensing who cast what, where. Someone put a magical seal on the kitchen door? Smells like Shinjiro's magic. Akira had some of Solomon's sugar? You can sense that, too!
🌙 As you start getting past the basics, your character might realize they have a much easier time with certain kinds of magic over others. For North, this will be offensive and attack spells; for East, this will be intricate seals and curses; for West, this will be manipulative magic like illusions and transformation; for South, this will be healing, purification, and protection. Central? A little bit of everything. Read up on your country if you need a refresher!
🌙 It's been peaceful at home in the manor thus far, hasn't it? Do you think that will last?
🌙 Your OOC plotting post is here! Remember to keep all wider plotting contained to the OOC post, since not everyone checks plurk or discord frequently.
🌙 Our next group to go on their mission is Central. Be ready, heroes...

» NAVIGATION

Comments

[lustro]

[ At first - at first, it sounds good. It sounds wonderful. Mika’s willing to give him eternity when Ginger has forever. So Ginger’s eyes go bright and he says, immediately: ]

I do - I want that.

[ Then - the rest. What blooms in him wilts at the way Mika lights himself on fire to keep an immortal warm. Not unhappy, no. It’s worse. It hurts tender and brittle - the way he prioritizes Ginger. How could Ginger ever be worth that? ]

Oh.

[ He had thought - when Mika made them family that… ]

I think… [ The words come slow around the lump in his throat. ] I would rather… ask you… [ Beg, cry, plead. ] To - to cut me away and leave me with the Mika you think I’m ever willing to leave behind.

And then I hope you keep my heart with you until you understand it.

[ Ginger doesn’t trust anyone else to try and understand his heart anyway. Not Rum, whose thoughts Ginger can never read. Whose heart he may never have. ]

And after that, too. Because I worry about yours.

[ He leaves Mika’s hand where it is and reaches out to touch the other lightly, by his cheek where he wonders if Mika has ever cried for himself.

Ginger wants to cry for him now. He saves it - for later, when he’s alone. ]

I know I ask for too much - the way I… cling. [ He’s sorry he’s so needy about Mika that eternity and protection and probably more would be offered for - what? Practically nothing. Like Mika’s not worth anything.

I wish… you would let me pick you. ]

[shortleash]

( At some point, Mika will understand that he fucks up when he tries to choose for Ginger. (And that he had done this to Yuu, too, all the way through the end.) Right now, he isn't so clear on it - and he falters when he can tell he's messed up, when he'd thought he'd made his life easier.

He hadn't meant to hurt him. That hurts Mika, too. )

It's not too much.

( Decisive - honest, and easy to say. The struggle in his demeanor is to try and understand where he'd lost his way navigating.

He should know ... Ginger doesn't like his sacrifice. But it's so hard to recognize what is and isn't sacrifice when that's how he expresses love. It's - his way, to pay himself as the toll, so his family might pass.

Even if they don't want him to.

He hesitates. Thinks more carefully. Trying to avoid what's natural. Trying to think about Ginger, and those painful feelings in his slight touch. )

... I... like it. I like that - you like me so much. Is that bad?

( If Ginger thinks his clinging is bad, and Mika likes it, is Mika making it worse? Is he hurting him? )

But, if... I start to think about the things I want - I might not be able to protect you... the way I want to.

I want to understand your heart. It's not fair if I end up focused on mine.

( He looks up at him, frustrated with himself - helpless. Feeling like he betrayed Ginger's trust again, and regretting it.

Family is the only word he has for the kindest things he's had in his life - and for the worst of it, too. )

[lustro]

[ And then there’s selfish Ginger having not realized that he decided for the both of them when he’d brought up apologies. ]

You know, I… was so worried about talking to Rum about my feelings because I - thought I would die if he didn’t return them. And what would be left, I would have ruined our friendship for a sliver of a chance? Ridiculous, terrifying.

[ Stupid. He went and hurt Rum instead, for all that he was worried about his own heart. ]

But you and I talk. And it hurts but I… think it just makes me even more determined to - [ See him happy. To have him. ] - To like you more. So much more.

It’ll just grow and grow, I think. And I want you to know. Look at me and wonder, ”how much does he like me today?” I guarantee it’ll always be more than yesterday.

[ He tries to rub the worry lines at the corner of Mika’s eye, smooth out the frustration. ]

And isn’t it family privilege to get to hear what you want?

[shortleash]

( Ah...

He hesitates. He hesitates because Ginger always - he's so warm, in Mika's eyes. Clear, and bright. Even when he's sullen; even when he laments over Rum. Is it fair that Ginger makes him this happy? Is it okay to care for him so much? Is it okay to let Ginger care for him, too?

His hand falls from Ginger, though it was hardly a touch at this point anyway. But he does bring it back up - he presses his hand to the back of Ginger's hand at his face, and he closes his eyes.

He doesn't know what he wants. It's scary to even think it. Like something bad will happen to Ginger if he says it. Something he can't take back.

But Ginger wants to hear it. Ginger wants to like him, wants to keep him in his thoughts for all eternity, so he'll try. He'll really try.

Because he likes it when they talk, too. He'd said it before, and he thinks as much now: he likes talking to Ginger. Even when it hurts. On that, they're of the same mind. )

... I want...

( He shouldn't have leaned on Ginger. He's going to like him too much, he thinks. Especially if Ginger keeps liking him more. )

... I want... Rum to see you the way I do. At least. ( Honest. It's honest. He wants Ginger's happiness, and his happiness comprises of Rum. ) I hate that you're so - that it hurts you when you're thinking of him. I don't get why he doesn't see this - that you're... How nice it feels when something makes me think of you. How I wonder what you're when I haven't seen you. How... I like seeing you garden and other things, when I see you in the manor.

( Watching him from afar sometimes? Maybe...... It feels normal, to Mika. They're family; shouldn't he watch over him? )

I don't get how he can know you but not like all the things about you. Not tell you you're not too much. That you're more than enough. I want him to tell you all the things you want to hear, even the stuff you hold back.

( He wants Rum to see that, and say that, and convince Ginger he's good, even if he's a demon, even if he has all this desire. He wants...

His eyes slowly open, and though he doesn't look up at Ginger, he keeps his hand pressed against his. )

... And if Rum won't see that... I— wish I could... instead.

( Within reason. He's not Rum. He could never be. He doesn't mean to imply that. He could never ask for such a big piece of Ginger's life. Sorry. Don't get mad.

He just - wants to care for him. Is that allowed? Is that okay? Would Ginger still find something positive about all this, even if Mika's crossed a line? )

[lustro]

[ That’s a - lot of thoughts about Rum. As Ginger listens, his eyes widen and his cheeks heat up all the way to his ears. He’s a little grateful Mika has his eyes closed.

( But he also wishes he knew the exact color of Mika’s eyes in this moment.)

It could be the way Ginger’s demonic nature thinks in simple phrases (I want, I need), but he hears one word every time Mika opens his mouth. … Is he… wrong? If he’s right, that’s - exciting.

Terrifying.

He said he would feel that way, but he hadn’t expected Mika to… outpace him.

(Did he make Mika feel this way? He worries… Will Mika wake up one day and realize those were all just Ginger’s messy feelings, projected somehow into Mika’s thoughts, influencing him in an awful way.)

(…Careful, don’t rush things. He always has to be careful.)

He doesn’t know what to say, at first. He wants a lot of things. And his heart starts a pattern that sounds tentative, stuttering into a hopeful… song. It sings. ]

I… Whatever Rum feels or doesn’t feel, I don’t know - I won’t know because I never asked. [ Ginger’s fault. ] It’s better if - if he doesn’t feel - um… doesn’t see me the same way you do because there’s only one Mika. If he did, it wouldn’t make his feelings worth more than yours either.

[ He’d be happy, but all the same fears would be there. And he’d ask himself how long this would last. Rum never promised forever; Rum can live untouched by heartache. It’ll never follow him like a shadow, right at his heels constantly.

He exhales some of the heat building up within him. His ears must be steaming. ]

You already seem to see - everything.

[ ’I— wish I could... instead.’ ]

I do wonder though - what you’re doing when I haven’t seen you. What the Mika magic is - every space is better with you in it. The room gets warmer, brighter. Is it too much if I want to see you everyday - so at first I tried for every other day… But everyday builds more than the last.

[ It’s just his own feelings again, but maybe it would help Mika to hear them. ]

And, Mika, you’re much kinder than I’ll ever be because I hate the thought of you returning to your Yuu-chan. I hate that he won’t pick you.

[ Ginger would, he thinks. He has. That’s a brief moment where he hesitates - is this okay? - before he leans in and presses his lips to the top of Mika’s head. Careful, still. ]

[shortleash]

( How terrifying it would be, to be rejected by Ginger, when he accepts and wants so greedily. It scares Mika to think he might someday cross that line. Ginger is the only family he has anymore, and he's so lucky Ginger entertained the proposal at all. He doesn't want to lose this.

He doesn't think it matters that Rum never asked. He should have seen his hesitation and met him halfway. He should understand how much purpose there is in giving, even if it means giving yourself away, even if that's not what Ginger wants,

It feels almost wrong to listen to Ginger. For all he talks of desire, he gives Mika so much - thinks about him, when he doesn't need to. Finds warmth in him, when Mika's body is cold. He can't imagine why Ginger wouldn't place Rum's words above his own, either. Ginger speaks of want, but all Mika sees is how he's comprised of love. Why wouldn't Rum tell him these things, too?

Even if - even if it means that maybe he and Ginger would have never met like they did or gotten to this point, if Rum had the sense to return Ginger's affections. It's what Ginger wanted, so Mika wants it for him too.

He would have defended Yuu if he'd been given an extra moment, but it's better that he wasn't. He feels his lips at his hair and flushes bright like a fever. He doesn't know what the gesture means to Ginger exactly, and Mika's mother nor caretaker had ever given him the same, but is it presumptuous if he thinks it's a good thing, the way it was folded into Ginger's gentle words?

Whatever he was thinking before slips away from him in this warmth. )

... I can't... return to him. It's not his fault. But, I...

( His fingers curl into Ginger's hand, his pulse vibrant - his scent dizzying.

Or is that just Mika's own head? )

... Can I stay with you?

( He should set boundaries. He should set limits. If he gets too used to this, how will he let go when Ginger returns to Rum?

And yet. )

Every day— is fine. More than every day... is fine, too.

( He'd let go when he has to. Even if he has to break every finger to do it. It's the least he could give in return. )

[lustro]

[ His mind has already laid down a list of what he wants next, what Mika would let him do - he thinks, he knows. Open his mouth and make him promise to stay.

You know how it works now.

He does - he does know that, too. It would keep Mika from Yuu. Save him from more heartache over a boy who doesn’t deserve him. Ginger doesn’t care that it’s not his fault Mika can’t return, but he thinks about the scar he’d glimpsed - the one that cut across Mika’s body. As though he’d once been left in pieces and forced to put himself together again. Like the fingers, like the arm.

Did he do it for Yuu? Was he left alone? No, Mika should stay with Ginger who can promise him eternity and back.

And Ginger wants everything, but that includes what Mika wants. And he must be - overwhelmed right now. Ginger believes he can handle the weight of both their feelings, but Mika seems to shudder and give under his. Maybe they’re going too fast; maybe he hasn’t been careful enough.

He can slow down for Mika. Or give him whatever he needs.

He murmurs Mika’s name into soft blond strands, the whorl of his hair patterned in a beautiful spiral under his gaze (So cute, he thinks. Did Yuu ever know? ) and - stops at that small gesture, pulling back to speak. ]

… Yeah, of course. Do you mean - share your room? Or mine? [ Which, might be a very awkward and bad idea at times but Ginger is hungry for more of Mika. He’s the animal here. ] If you mean spending more time together, I’d like that, too. Whatever you want.

It would make me feel better, honestly.

[shortleash]

( He'd held Ginger's hands, and he'd held Ginger in turn, and there had been no space between them after Mika had incited ... a mood, in Ginger, and get - this feels so much more intimate, even with all this extra space between him. His name murmured in his hair so quietly, so adoringly, that Mika thinks he might melt with the rest of all the things he'd meant to say. He doesn't even remember what he came out here for. There's just Ginger.

He is overwhelmed.

Ginger could get a promise off him easy. Hesitant at first, but deciding brashly that the only thing that would make him break his vow would be death, he would look him with the eyes and swear it and he would mean it, without a second thought as to what it would mean for him.

If this were Yuu, he would tell him - he'd dig his heels in and try to moderate. But Ginger takes it sort of personal. And he doesn't want that. So he won't ask him to slow down - not yet. Not as long as Ginger's happy. Not until he can figure out how to navigate this with the right words, without making Ginger feel guilty. )

Oh— I meant... spending more time together, but...

( He never even considered the possibility of u-hauling it?? Partly because his room is more of a practical space to him. But now he's thinking about it? )

I mean... do you want to share a room? Uh— I'll actually think about what I want, if you tell me, so it's fine if you're honest.

( Will he... Well, he'll try. )

[lustro]

Think about it? Maybe if you want, we can do it in the future. But - [ He sighs a little. ] - probably shouldn’t right now. Because of - my dreams.

[ The thing he’d been worried about from the start has been happening more and more. It’s usually Rum, faceless, but sometimes… After he’d had those thoughts… It’s a blond head he sees.

… ]

But I’d… like waking up to you, if we could make it work.

[shortleash]

( Just barely swerving past emotional overstimulation for Mika...

He doesn't suspect anything about the content of Ginger's dreams - he just understands it'd be awkward for him, like how his body gets after Mika feeds on him.

But in the same way it makes him feel some kind of way that Ginger would feel better seeing more of him, so does it knowing Ginger wants to wake up to him, would want to stay with him.

That... really is like family, in a way.

... )

... What time do you wake up? ... If you leave the window open... I can come before you do.

( And just stare at him until he wakes up? Yes. It's fine ? )

[lustro]

Through the window??

[ But it’s endearing the way Mika suggests it, like he’s trying really hard to make it work for them. ]

Just come in through the door. You can treat it like your own space if you want.

[ That does not solve his morning problem (singular and persistent), but - that’s okay. Ginger will mind himself. ]

I like to sleep late if we don’t have anything going on.

[ In his dreams, he doesn’t have to think about missing home. Missing… Rum. ]

[shortleash]

( ??? )

You don't leave it locked? What if someone dangerous comes in?

( danger!! danger!!!!

But, okay, noted... )

... Okay. Then I'll figure it out. ( Get a good sense of Ginger's timing, his sleep rhythm... normal, ) I can sleep, but I don't really need to, so... I can come in whenever. You can visit me whenever, too.

... But lock your door.

[lustro]

[ And… they wouldn’t come in through the unlocked window? It’s so silly; Ginger is terribly charmed by Mika’s logic.

His smile spreads. ]

Yes, Mika.

[ (Amused.)

(Affectionate.) ]

[shortleash]

( okay

but

that's

listen

LISTEN

... )

... We're getting you a lock. Or a seal.

( So then there can be a key (or magic key, in the case of the latter).

But Ginger is being so cute he can't help but be endeared, as much as he's worried. pls take care... )

[lustro]

[ He’s listening??

Taking notes?

Whatever Mika says goes. So if that’s what Mika wants? He nods agreeably, but adds: ]

Two keys.

[shortleash]

( He has no clue what's making Ginger so happy, but... Good, if he is. At least... Mika can do this much for him. )

... That makes it sound like we're getting an apartment together.

( But this isn't an objection to two keys. )

[lustro]

Right? It does sound nice…

[ He’s pretty wistful about it. Apartment with Mika… kyaa…

If only he wasn’t rucked up about rucking-related things, but… maybe. One day. ]

Cooking would be optional if it’s us.

[shortleash]

( making ginger cry by proposing a chastity belt in this barbie dreamhouse fantasy,

You know what, he hasn't played house since the orphans were still alive, so this is funny, but... novel. Fun. )

... Yeah, it would be. You could just stock up on the stuff you like. Coffee-flavored everything.

( He's probably up and fixed up his shirt and everything by now, that big emotional hill passed... and now it's coasting. )

I haven't really had my own place before, though. I have no idea what I'd put in it.

( He's had... a room (presumably) in (apparently) Ferid's mansion, and now a room here, but he barely even knew what to do with those; a whole place to himself? Wow. )

[lustro]

[ so easy to make him cry, but he’d do it… only if it’s not a scary-looking one,,, ]

Then I’d never sleep. I guess I’d just keep you company all night at that point.

[ Ginger would bring home things he thinks Mika would like. Flowers, curry. Not Yuu. ]

What’s your favorite color?

[shortleash]

( Company... Yeah, he'd like that. )

The day has a lot of hours when you don't sleep. ( He guesses Ginger already knows, but, ) We'd have to figure out stuff to fill the time with.

( Thinking about literal Netflix and chill... His repertoire of activities is a bit limited since the world ended when he was a kid, but he's picking up new things here and there, in this world.

Favorite color, though... Hmm... Saying he doesn't have one is a cop-out, so if he just picks one he's partial to... )

... Green. Why?

( Don't ask if his favorite color is gay because unfortunately it is, )

[lustro]

[ Ginger whose favorite color is also gay-coded - looks up at the heavens ]

Oh, then can have a lot of plants.

[ Future destination a big pending because plants don’t last where Ginger’s from. Stuff don’t grow on clouds. ]

And… um, what else is green…

[shortleash]

( gay alliance 🤝

Aw. He didn't expect that, but??? That's sweet... Ginger is not beating the uwu allegations in Mika's heart. )

... Birds? Like lovebirds. Not that I've ever kept a pet before...

( He probably thought about having a dog when he was a tiny little kid but clearly it wouldn't have made his parents happy so he dropped that dream immediately. )

What's your favorite color?

[lustro]

Maybe as wallpaper - or… a picture frame. I also have wings, so… the idea of keeping something with wings trapped is a little sad to me.

[ And. Trapped birds reminds him of Mika’s situation. Mika should be free to live, to fly. ]

Amber is nice - honeyed tones, golden browns and reds.

[shortleash]

( Oh no he was culturally insensitive to winged beings...

Mika wouldn't have said a red, because it reminds him of blood and vampires - the color of a vampire's eyes; even his own. But... he can find good in the color, because right now it spills from Ginger's lips, and not from a body. )

Oh— no birds, then. ( Sorry, homodachi... ) I didn't realize you had wings, too.

( Which he feels sounds dumb to say, because Ginger is Literally An Angel (well, half), but... )

... We can put amber stuff, too. Flowers... honey?

( Decorative honey? He realizes that doesn't make sense the moment he says it, but it's too late to unsay it, )

[lustro]

Hehe, they only come out when I need them.

[ Ginger offers him a half-smile and his hand. If they’re done here, they can start walking back.

At least… he hopes Mika is done with his experiment. He doesn’t think he could bear to see Mika cutting off any more limbs - but it wouldn’t be fair (???) to stop Mika from knowing as much about himself as possible.

Conflicted… ]

Jars of honey would be nice. We can put it in coffee and tea - I think. Then you can taste it.

[ After it gets filtered through Ginger. ]