[Last Time, on El WHAT?!: Our heroes entered the small town to which they were directed for possible help and discovered that there was a sort of help for the asking as the mayor, the local priest, a half-dragon sorceror (who caused his fair share of excitement), and an old not-quite-blind rogue offered some help and training, with more training to come when the budding heroes were ready.] [Much shoppingness was had, and some basic training as well, and now our heroes, as well equipped as time, money, and supplies will let them, are ready for anything. Or... maybe not.] [Now the second day dawns, and the peddler has left with the rising sun. The group is just beginning to rise in their rooms at the Swimming Dwarf, in spite of the not-entirely-comfortable mattresses.] [Session 4... START] * Tiffany is dressed in her newest garb. Light tan breeches stop above her ankle tatoo, and her slim feet are stuck into small, sturdy sandles. Her loose, short-sleeved shirt is made of high-quality tan fabric, strapped across her chest with two long black sashes, one curving down each of her arms and tied around her wrists. A simmilar shash hangs from her tight pony tail. The back of the outfit is embroidered with a large Auryn, only slightly obscured by her hair. * Sophie now wears a long-sleeved, thin green shirt under a sleeveles brown leather vest, both low cut. She has brown trousers that disappear into knee-high leather boots, and a sturdy belt almost as thick as her waist. Strapped to the belt is a long, thin-bladed sword much like her fencing sabre. She still wears her hair long and unbound. * Harold is wearing a slightly battered and nondescript traveler's outfit. The wool breeches and shirt are plain grey homespun, while his boots, belt, and short jacket are a deep brown. The hooded bloak he's still getting used to is a rapidly-fading forest green. He's still wearing his original school backpack, but now there's a light crossbow hanging off a loop on one side. He carries a heavy-looking wooden stick a bit taller than himself, as well-- a ... walking stick? :p * Nick is clad in a dark blue long-sleeved and tight-fitting shirt under a short-sleeved and looser black cloth jacket. He also wears a pair of black pants, secured by a thick leather belt. The belt has two new items hanging off it, a black-handled small mace and a short sheathed blade. His leather boots seem built for wear and tear, sturdy and tough. His original pack is still hanging over one shoulder. * Fadi steps out of his room dressed in something that... really doesn't look like him. He's wearing dark-grey wool shirt and pants, and his boots, gloves, and vest are a deep brown leather. His belt is the same he used when he got here, as well as the chains he was wearing on his pants, in the same fashion nonetheless. His clothing is studded all over hoops and such, and slung over his back is his backpack and a Really Big Sword (tm). 'mornin all. Where's Emmet? * Sophie shrugs. "I still haven't seen him since before." I hope he's alright... ahh, I see you two got a change of clothes, too! * Fadi is also wearing his shades. His previous black leather (minus the belt), is probably in his backpack, along with the rest of his former clothes. * Harold adjusts his glasses-- which, anachronisms be damned, he's still wearing. Hmm.. I had hoped he'd show up before we had to leave on this little... trip. Hoped who'd show up? * Nick nods, adjusting the shirt furtively. "Hey, guys?" -- Emmet?! 'morning. How goes? ..Eh? * Tiffany turns toward the voice, startled. "Um... you!" * Sophie looks over at Emmet. "You. Where were you?" Hey, where you Emmet? * Emmet looks around the room, clearly confused. I was walking along with you. How did we get here? We'd like to know as well... It's been two days. We walked? * Emmet blinks and finally looks back at the others. Uh. I guess... that would explain your new clothes. ... wait, this is just like what happened before! Yeah. * Tiffany stands up and spins, slowly. "You like them?" * Fadi shrugs. "We're going to go get killed now. Want to come along?" Yeah, it is.. * Emmet grins a little and sets the second bag he was carrying beside him, though he doesn't let go of the strap. "Yeah, I do," he says; though it's not completely clear to whom he says that--Tiffany or Fadi. Hey, let's go get the man armed before we go marching off. * Tiffany glares at Fadi. "We've been instructed to take out some goblins. And we aren't going to die." Yeah. What do you think he'd use? * Sophie nods. "It shouldn't be difficult. Probably." * Fadi grins. "Hey, I can make a joke, can't I?" Armed with what? I don't think they'd sell any firearms to--goblins? What are goblins? ..And we can get him caught up to speed. Kinda convenient than the blacksmith and mayor are the same people. Things you fight in video games. * Fadi looks at Emmet. "Stay away from firearms. They're more trouble than they're worth... And they don't have them here anyways." Y'got me... but we need to get rid of them. After meeting a half-dragon, I'm ready for anything. Hey, that's right. Should I go grab the armor before we leave? * Sophie looks over at Tiffany. "Did he teach you magic after all?" * Emmet gets a faraway look on his face as he tries to determine which half of a dragon makes something a half-dragon. * Tiffany turns to Sophie with a wry smile, "He tried, but it takes a little more time than a day, unfortunately." She starts rubbing her hands together almost subconciously. Don't try to think about it too much Emmet. * Emmet shakes his head. Okay. * Nick points a thumb back to his room and looks confused. "I bought a suit yesterday.." So... what happened to looking for a telephone? Oh. Well, try to stay behind the boys, okay? They don't exist. * Emmet gives Harold a look of cautious disbelief. "Okay. I guess that makes sense. You guys look like you're ready for a Renaissance fesitval anyway." * Nick sighs and walks back into his room. ... when in Rome? Strangely, I think you're the one that looks out of place right now. * Fadi nods. "Yup." Do as the Romans do. * Sophie nods. "I hate to admit it, but..." Besides, I wouldn't be comfortable killing goblins in my school uniform. * Emmet looks down at his own clothing. ... well, I won't be comfortable killing goblins in this, either, but who knows what kinds of stains goblins would get on my good clothes. I guess you're right. So, how do I get gear like yours? * Fadi nods. "Don't want to get my jacket dirty... espically after I found out how hard another one would cost me." * Faint crashes and bangs are heard from behind the door Nick just went into. * Emmet glances at the door Nick disappeared behind. Uh... * Fadi blinks. "Okay..." There's the blacksmith. You could use a weapon, probably. heh. He's just getting ready. It'll take him a minute or two, I'd guess. I'm going to go grab my bag and then we can meander over to the smithy, k? * Fadi blinks. "Yeah. I guess the shades look out of place, don't they?" * Fadi takes off his shades and stowes them in his backpack. * Tiffany walks back to her room and emerges with a rustic backpack slung over her right shoulder. * Nick stumbles out of the room, now clad in neck-to-toe hardened brown leather. The sword and mace are on each hip, and his slightly-out-of-place backpack is still on his back. Nick himself looks slightly winded but cheerful. "How do I look?" * Emmet waits patiently, watching everybody move around and get ready and such. He seems remarkably comfortable believing that he simply disappeared for two days. * Fadi glances over at Nick. "Want me to test that?" * Sophie looks Nick over. "You look very... um... leathery." ... you look like you're on the way to do something unmentionable. ..*cough* * Tiffany giggles. Anyway, the leatherworker said this stuff's pretty tough. * Nick is turning a very bright shade of red. * Fadi cracks his knuckles. "Why the apple face?" Well, uh.. Wow, Nick. You look kind of like a canine unit trainer. They wear stuff like then when they teach dogs how to attack people. Well, that and how to stop attacking people. * Nick coughs again. "Gee, thanks." * Harold sighs. Oh, and Harold? If you're saying he's gonna go kill someone, just say it. Let's get some equipment for our un-equiped friend now. That wasn't what I was thinking, exactly. * Fadi shrugs. "You were thinking he was gonna go have sex?" "Something unmentionable" is _exactly_ what I was thinking. * Fadi smirks. "Right. Let's go." * Nick grumbles and starts walking towards the door. * Fadi starts walkin' to the door. * Sophie sighs and heads for the door. * Emmet hefts his bag-of-food and waits for the others to move for the door, too. I'm sorry, I *have* to ask. What does a half-dragon look like? Kind of like a big lizard. * Tiffany heads out. What a crocodile? Big lizard, clawed hands, stands on two feet... Kinda like Godzilla, only without the fire or laser-eyes. * Emmet follows the group. Oh. That big? Sort of like a man... but with scaly skin, pointy teeth, and a forked tongue. And a lot more likable. Okay. And not so big... * Sophie eyes Emmet. "A crocodile is hardly a lizard." * Emmet looks back at Sophie. "It's not?" No. And he hasn't eaten us. Yet. * Fadi thinks. "Yeah. crocodiles are reptiles, but not lizards, right?" Oh. Well... okay. * Nick is walking sort of stiffly, but seems to be getting more comfortable as he walks. * Sophie nods. "That's right." * Harold is with the group, he's just being quiet, almost moody. He definitely doesn't seem to be in a mood to talk. * Tiffany drops back to walking alongside Harold. "Didn't have a good day yesterday over at the temple?" -- huh? Hey, what's grouchy doin' back there? * Fadi doesn't even look back to say that. * Harold looks up suddenly, obviously having been derailed from some trail of thought. "-- oh! Ah, no, it was fine..." * Nick is overcoming his somewhat-embarrassing armor with a cheerful outlook and a tinge of pink around his face. * Sophie runs a hand through her hair. "Yesterday was all shopping. I hope these goblins are as weak as implied." ... and grouchy is trying to have a conversation, thank you! * Harold shouts back, looking mildly irritated. If they are, I hope I can hit them. I have a feeling if I hit one, it's not gettin back up. * Fadi smirks. Have any of you guys actually seen one of these goblins yet? Nope. * Tiffany smiles. "I'm sorry if I interrupted your train of thought... I just know how difficult it probably is for someone as devoted as you are to be cut off from your church." Well... just cut off from everything. It's a bit upsetting. And the first thing we're told when we get here is to go out and start killing things... I just get the feeling something isn't right, that something's trying to change us and not for the better. To make us... less? Does that make any sense? Maybe these goblins are like animals. You know, really big squirrels, or pigeons or something. Nothing wrong with killing pigeons. * Sophie shrugs. "Can't say I enjoy being in a place like this, either." I can empathize with that. There's a lot I'm missing already and a lot more I'll miss in a few days. Though I'd think we're expected to become more, not less. * Sophie nods. "Can't even order a pizza here." Hey, this place isn't that bad. Not as much to worry about... although is a simple toilet too much to ask? Well, look on the bright side. * Nick inhales deeply. "Fresh air!" Exactly. Well... that's what they're _telling_ us, but we don't know what's really expected of us. That's nothing new. I mean, we have clean air, good food... * Before long, Alfred's smithy comes into sight. He looks like he's been up and working for quite some time, and he pays you little attention as you walk up. Food? Hey, Emmet, don't you have all the food? * Sophie shrugs. "I could get that at home, too." I'm suprised you aren't getting the most out of this, Harold. If God could try a man in any way, this would be one of the harsher ones, I'd think. And I'm sure when you pass it you'll be better for it. * Emmet nods in response to Fadi's question, though he's looking at the smithy with keen interest. "Yeah, it's in this other bag." He lifts the second bag from his shoudler and then lets it rest there again. Well... I didn't think I was _failing_ to cope. I just think... maybe we're being told what someone thinks we want to hear. If it turns out otherwise, that's wonderful... but the more I think about this, the more it seems that there has to be a catch _somewhere_. * Fadi shrugs. "If they want to talk, let them. Why don't we split up the food while Emmet goes and picks out a weapon, eh?" * Sophie nods. "Good idea." Maybe we are... but I'm sure if anyone can figure it out, we can. There may very well be a catch, but right now we don't have much choice but to go along with what they want. * Alfred looks up as you enter the smithy. "Good day. You look much more comfortable than you did a couple days ago." * Tiffany turns from Harold, "Excuse me a moment, Harold," and looks at everyone else with a smile, "Aah, *now* we want to split up the food, huh?" * Fadi nods. "'s why I'm not trying to fight it." * Emmet sets the food-filled bag down between Sophie and Fadi before approaching the man with the smith's apron. "Excuse me, sir. My friends told me that I should ask you about buying things to help me help them... uh... kill goblins, they said." Well, now that we know we're going to be here a while, it seems like a good idea. * Nick waves to Alfred and vainly attempts to stretch out in the armor. ... yes, I do have to favor splitting up the food now. If people can just disappear for random periods of time... * Fadi salutes to Alfred. "Let's split it, then." * Sophie waves politely to Alfred, then starts splitting up the food. * Fadi starts splittin' food too. * Harold is going out of his way not to look at Alfred, although he's trying not to be too impolite about it. * Nick and also takes his share of the food. * Tiffany turns and walks up to Emmet and Alfred quietly. * Fadi takes his share of the foodage. :9 * Harold will instead grab his share of the food, and spend some time cramming it into his backpack as well as he can without completely crushing it. So you should. Take a look at the rack over there, and select something that's to your taste. * Fadi does his best to fit his share of the food into the side-compartment of his backpack and zips it closed. * Sophie puts her share of the food into her own backpack. * Emmet nods. "Thank you, sir." He walks over ot the rack mentioned and looks for something... anything that looks like a reasonable weapon. * Fadi yells to Emmet. "Remember, the bigger the weapon, the more it hurts when you hit someone with it!" * Alfred laughs. * Fadi grins. * There are all sorts of weapons on the rack, though there isn't currently a greatsword. Well, at least I can pick my weapons up. * Fadi stands up. "But really, just pick somethin' out you like. Not like we have any training in this stuff... unless you've been hiding something." * Nick glances over at Fadi and grins. Some of us actually know how to use these things, Fadi. Hey, I can pick this thing up just fine. It's not that heavy once you get used to carrying it around. * Fadi shrugs. "Your point?" I have to agree, that some of *them* do know how to use weapons... I was a bit lost when I tried to pick out a weapon too. * Nick runs his hand over the mace. "..Well, isn't too hard to hit people." * Emmet lingers near the axes. There are quite a lot of them, though it's clear from his expression that he's not quite certain how to tell them apart except based on their size. * Emmet allows himself a small grin and looks over his shoulder at Fadi. "Fadi," he calls as he points at the biggest axe around, "you mean like this one?" Yup. Like that one. I don't know anything about weapons or fighting. I was told what I got was so simple it couldn't be easily gotten wrong. * Emmet shrugs, after a great deal of consideration. I guess if I don't like it, I can get a different one later. I can't really tell one from the other anyway. * Emmet grabs the really big axe, grunting a little at the sudden weight of the thing, and walks back to Alfred. How about this one sir? How much is it? Watch it. There's a lot of weight on that. ..You might want to get a smaller one.. Not a bad choice. Ten solars. * Sophie shrugs. "Have to start somewhere, I guess. If you can control it, it can deal out damage like few other weapons. * Emmet shrugs his backpack from one shoulder and rummages around for the money requested. After some time, he produces the currency and hands it to Alfred. "Any quick suggestions on hos to control it, sir?" I'm not fond of axes myself. I'd suggest keeping the blade away from your legs. Practice as often as you can. That'll build up your muscles. * Emmet smiles faintly at the suggestions and then nods. "I'll do that, sir. Thank you." Goblins like to use ambushes. You should keep a lookout. * Tiffany meanders back out and picks up her share of the food. "Great! Now we're ready to go I guess." * Fadi nods. "Let's get going then. Ambushes. Great. * Emmet reshoulders his pack, hefts the weapon a few times until it feels a bit more comfortable, and then turns around. After looking at the other Auryn for a moment, he turns back. "A lookout? You mean, somebody should go on ahead? Or we should just be alert? And... uh... where do I get clothes like they have?" No, someone who's watching all the time to make sure we don't get ambushed. * Alfred chuckles. "I think the peddler has left, but you can ask Blind Edward. It'll probably be ready when you're back." * Emmet nods. "Okay. Thank you, sir." He walks back to rejoin the group, and to take the last remaining parcel of food and put it into his own backpack. "Okay, I guess that's that. Are we ready?" Been ready ever since I woke up. Same here. Ready! * Sophie nods. "Ready." Let's get this over with. Cool. * Emmet grinsfor a moment, but his grin quickly fades. So... where are we going? Who's got the map? * Nick looks uneasy in the armor, but manages a thumbs-up. * Harold pulls the map out of the appropriate backpack pocket. "Right here." Now... exactly where did we agree to go? * Fadi shrugs. Well... they said the goblins were around the river, and _that's_ the nearest river, so... I guess we just need to follow it into the mountains. Sounds like a plan. How far into the mountains? We don't have a whole lot of food. You sure it was in the mountains? I'm pretty sure that was where we didn't want to go... * Nick stands back and looks at the map from a little distance. I believe there were two places to go. Well... maybe not all the way into it, but... that's what I seem to be recalling. And maybe buying some more food would be a smart idea... And we didn't want to go to the mountains because there was something much worse up there. ... oh! Well, then let's not do that, then. * Fadi calls over to Alfred. "Hey, where were thos goblins you wanted us to take care of again?!" * Alfred looks up. "Oh, they raid all over the place, but the base is supposed to be up along the river, near the mountains. I figure if you just head up the river, either you'll find them, or they'll find you. Right. Up the river it is. Guess so. * Emmet hefts the huge axe again. Okay, so let's go already. * Harold nods, and keeps the map out in one hand while the other gets a good grip on his staff. "Let's." * Fadi nods in agreement. * Tiffany turns away and starts to walk, placing her hands behind her head and taking a deep breath of the morning air. * Nick nods and follows the group. * Sophie follows along. * Fadi starts walking. * Harold seems to subconsciously fall into taking 'point', since he has the map and all. He tries to orient the party toward the direction he believes to go toward the river. * Alfred's smithy is near the edge of town, so it doesn't take long to get out into the freshness of mostly unconquered wilderness. It takes about two hours to trek all the way to the river, and by the time you get within a hundred feet of the banks, your feet are aching under the extra weight you've been putting on them. * In particular, Tiffany's feet are smarting under the assault of the extra weight she's carrying around, and she can't go any farther for a while. * Sophie stops and sits down on a rock. "Let's rest for a while." * Tiffany drops her backpack by the side of the river and steps half a foot in, letting the water rush by her aching feet in her painful sandals. * Fadi shrugs. "Tired?" * Nick nods briskly. "..Er, if I can't get up after this, mind helping me?" * Tiffany reaches down and starts massaging her feet in the cool water. She can be heard speaking quietly to herself... "You don't hurt me, you won't hurt me, you can't hurt me... dang it." A little. I'm unaccustomed to so much walking. * Emmet pauses to stretch his legs, putting his hand over the laces of his sneakers as he pulls one leg back calf-to thigh, and then standing on it while he stretches the other. He looks around the area around this part of the riverbank with wide brown eyes and a faint grin. "I like it out here. Quiet, green, unspoiled. This has been a nice hike so far." * Fadi takes a seat. "Yeah. I know what you mean... It's given me time to think." ... right! Let's take a quick break! * Nick shrugs and plops onto the ground, rubbing the armor. "This was not the smartest purchase.." * Fadi raises an eyebrow. "It might be if it saves your butt." * Harold lays his staff down and sinks to the ground. "I don't know how you stand that stuff. I'm overheating in just _this_." * Emmet turns a little to look at Nick. "I don't know... it might come in handy whenever we meet these goblin things." Right, right.. *sigh* Well, at least we haven't had any random encounters. * Tiffany stands up, her sandals in her hands. She then turns and walks back to the shore, her pride masking her uncomfort. "What's a random encounter?" Random encoun--what? * Fadi gets up. "Don't start, unless you want them to attack us at random." You know? When you're playing a RPG, and you're just walking along for awhile... and then there's sort of a crashing sound and the screen dissolves, and you're fighting six Imps or something like that? * Nick looks at Harold like he just sprouted antenna. ... don't you play video games? * Tiffany frowns before sitting down. "No... not really." I haven't got the time. * Fadi streches a little. "Usually too busy, but I've seen'em enough to know what a random encounter is." * Harold looks at _everyone else_ like they just sprouted antenna. * Emmet chuckles. "I've seen those. Never played 'em myself, but I've seen 'em. It's much healthier to hike like this than it is to play video games anyway." Emmet considers this for a moment. "Unless of course we really do get attacked." He goes back to studying the trees and rocks and undergrowth nearby, more suspiciously this time. Yeah. Hey, didn't Alfred say they liked ambushes? * Tiffany takes this opinion and uses a brief look around the banks for 'goblins' as a way to not focus on her feet. * Emmet doesn't see anything suspicious in the undergrowth at the edge of the forest. Yeah, he did. * Sophie nods. "Someone should keep watch." Yes, they should! * Fadi nods. He starts lookin' to the forest. * Harold eyes the others for a moment. "... Nick, go to it." ..Go to what? I think he means "Start looking." * Tiffany doesn't find anything, either. * Nick grumbles and stands up, mumbling something about schoolboy pansies. * Fadi glances over at Nick. "You call me that again, and I'll show you why I didn't have time to play games. Got it?" Children, children! * Nick looks at Fadi. "..Dude, are you smoking something? I'm not talking about you." Yes, there's precisely _one_ schoolboy pansy here, and he's the one with the _map_. *Exactl--... Nevermind. Sorry. ^^; * Emmet chuckles quietly, though his eyes never stop scanning the horizon--such as it is. * Tiffany facepalms only momentarily, before returning to rubbing her feet. * Fadi chuckles. "Well, sorry 'bout that. I can get a little... high-strung at times." He grins. * Nick ignores Fadi and starts looking around. * Harold smiles, and for the first time today, looks pretty well satisfied. * Nick doesn't see anything in the underbrush, either, as hard as he tries. * Sophie rubs her forehead. "At this rate, the goblins will find us because of all the squabbling." ..Hm. * Fadi streches some more. "Well, let's get going. Not like they'd decide to ambush us in one of the arbitrary places we could stop, right?" Yeah, we should get moving. Well, no, they probably _would_... Yes... if you ladies are alright, we should probably try to get moving again. How many places have you seen where we could have stopped? * Tiffany winces in the direction of the river before attempting to stand again... and winces while standing as well, as a matter of fact. Simple matter of probability, they're as likely to be at any of those as they are to be here. Right. If they've been here for any length of time, they probably know the territory pretty well. They'll have set up an ambush on a narrow ledge running beside the river, if there is one, or in some other place where they have advantages of high ground, mobility, or surprise. * The problem with ambushing you at this particular stopping point is that there's no appreciable cover for about a hundred yards except for people who are underwater. * Sophie rises. "I suppose so." That too. Always want the high-ground if you can get it. * Harold doesn't know anything about ambushing, so he's suspicious anyway. Can't hurt, right? * Tiffany gently slips on her sandals. She un-grits her teeth long enough to mutter, "Well, let's move." * Emmet adjusts his grip on the axe and moves to stand near--and follow--Harold. * Nick just shrugs and pulls out his mace, holding it at the ready. * Harold leads the way again, tracing a path along the edge of the river. He's trying to not move _too_ fast, out of courtesy for Tiffany's aching feet. Well, at first, anyway. * Sophie follows the others. "I hope this isn't much farther." * Nick follows, a tight grip on the mace's handle. * It looks like a long, long way on the map. * Tiffany doesn't complain about the speed that is set, though her pained grunts get more distinct the longer the group moves. * Harold sighs, but keeps going. --; * Fadi starts walking again. You realize we'll end up fighting goblins once we get there. Maybe they'll have sore feet too. If they've been waiting? Nah, but I bet they'll be sleeping instead. * Emmet shakes his head. Very poor discipline, if they are. Can't be much worse than ours... You'd be surprised how little 'disipline' some people have... * Emmet takes a very brief break from looking at his surroundings to glance at Fadi. "Not surprised, no." * The forest engulfs you like a fat man on a sub sandwich. You pass the treeline and suddenly the only light seems to come from the thinned tree cover over the middle of the river. It's difficult to see much of anything for several minutes, and then your eyes slowly adjust to the darker conditions, and you can see lush forest like you've never seen before, not even in a national park. * Sophie smirks. ..Whoa. * Tiffany weathers the discussion without comment, but continues to grunt gently as each footfall hurts. * Fadi looks around. "Nice... I bet we'll start seeing something of goblins now, though. Assuming they'd be waiting out here." ... this is so amazing... I bet one of us is going to end up with lyme disease... * Harold pulls up his hood as an afterthought. * Also notable is the fact that while your feet still ache, they ache less. The ground isn't nearly so hard here, and is also covered with a thin coating of moss in many places, cushioning your hard steps. * Emmet wears a grin that grows and grows with every step. His brown eyes are practically asparkle with delight as he soaks in every detail of the forest--at least, every detail available to his senses. * The forest itself is alive with activity, with breezes making the branches of the trees whisper, the chittering of squirrels, raccoons, and other small furry mammals, and the chirping of birds. * Fadi looks around. He's pleased, yes, but... He also looks a little troubled. His hand is almost constantly reaching for his sword. * Nick is grinning and practically drinking in the air. * Tiffany holds her arms in front of her stomach, within the folds of her light shirt. She appears to be grunting less, but nervously gripping something deep within the pockets. * Sophie walks along normally. All this nature is lost on her. * So our heroes march off down the river into the forest, knowing not what awaits them. [Session... END]