"Ooh, I have an idea." Juli began rummaging through her upper-left pocket. "Hmm, it's in here somewhere... all right... that's one thing... no, not that one, that's definitely not ink... oh! Got it!" Juli yanked out a stack of small parchments and a thick, opaque vial. She uncorked the vial, then reached back into another pocket and pulled out a small feather.

"Notepads. Normally for research, but this is important too." Juli pulled a parchment off of the stack and handed it to Min, then dipped the feather in the vial. "Can you write down what you want to ask?"

As the woman puts her hand on Min's, it can feel the pulse within her... Or... Would. If there was one there. That knowledge was all Min needed to know before it lowered its hand to cut off contact with the woman.

It then speaks clearly, [As it did in post #60] "The whisper of life from the etheral depths, one walks among those who pass others in time. Silence. Darkness. These will be the lights which are found in the darkest of hours. leuod pen ama ta phukphan kab sivid chao adchapen pachuban soalabkan haichaisudthai khong sad dia la san thi nyinghainykhong kan phao haim" With the end of its words, Min takes a short bow to the woman, then delicately accepts the notepad and quill from Juli.

It writes on the pad a moment. It then holds it out to the woman.

"Not a gesture.

A gaining of knowledge. A feeling.

Min of the Yuke. And your name, leuod bomi?"

[I actually really liked the Yuke from the Crystal Chronicles series, and, although there are no official images depicting their faces, I stumbled upon this shortly before this RP was started. So... Yeah. Min's a Yuke -- but with sleight alterations as to make it not a complete bring in from another game series.
As I mentioned, I noticed a face-depiction of the Yuke, but it looks a lot like many fan-arts of Gremlins from SK. So... Here's what I thought:

The "Yuke" for this RP look a lot like the Yuke from FF:CC, but without any bird-like features. They'll look like a split-off species of gremlin, without actually being attached to Gremlins in any way. In this way, when the Morai Homeworld crashes into Cradle, the entire species dies out... Or becomes very well hidden; thus there is no interference in adding in a separate looking Gremlin-like Clan if the story were to play out all the way to present-day SK. If the "Hairy Folk" were depictions of Gremlin-like things, the Yuke would be included in that depiction.

Anyways. Min's helmet hides its face for the same reason why Yukes hide their faces with helms in FF:CC... Which is to say we have no real idea -- besides fan speculation that it may be some sort of punishment for others to see their faces. As for the language thing, I figured I might as well give the Yuke (as their own tribe of "hairy creatures") their own speech-type. This isn't to say that all of the creatures need to speak in the language I make Min speak in sometimes; rather, think of that occasional odd-word-occurrence as a language used strictly by Yukes for ceremonial purposes.

Because you figured out a secret of Min's, I'll translate any mysterious dialect-speakings it has when it's speaking directly to Juli. Well, you finding out the secret is actually an excuse, I'm actually a sucker for revealing secrets.

Translation from post #66 (where the context is) to Juli is:
For the = soalabkankan
Travel, = kandoenthang
One-blind, = nung tabod
to = cha
View = boeng
What follows. = sing topaini

tl;dr
Yep, that's exactly right. Min's a Yuke-gremlin, which is also why it has such trouble speaking Almirian or whatever language we're going for in this RP when translated through English. Might I also mention how hard it is to translate English to other Languages -- then have them translate back and make sense?]

---------------

EDIT to preserve space in reply to post #108
[Oh. OH. NOW I GET IT.

Alright, so back in post #22, I was confused, 'cause my definition of "the story" wasn't clear. Now I get it. You were meaning that the Old Man who was in post #1 is recounting the story of Almire raising before the Almirian planet (Morai Homeworld) became part of Cradle. The old man is on Cradle in current day SK, the story (in which we are participating) is taking place within the story.

But then... Subspecies of Gremlins (the "Hairy ones") shouldn't be on this planet either... Unless the Hairy ones weren't actually gremlins. Alright. So. Uh.
*Edits the explanation of what Min is in this post*
Better? They're not really gremlins. But they look sorta like 'em.]

---------------

It takes a moment for Min to register the questions Juli asks, but it soon begins writing on the notepad once again -- after it flips the page.

"Our identity is... Secret.

Each Yuke makes their own armor when they leave. But all wear a mask which fully covers their face.

The clear tongue in which I speak is... Also secret."

Min points its writing to Juli. It's not exactly expert-grade hand-writing... But it's legible.

[@The Bar From Space With A Doctor's Certificate.
Nope. Actually, maybe. I have no idea. You could technically respond to Min from #107, but I'm more waiting on a reaction from Kathleen for 105. Or some sort of intersection to start up the main plot-line from Liminori.]

(OOC: I thought we were waiting for you to have the prince summon us?)

(OOC: @Troy, the characters are so far in the area near the castle, interacting. Really, it's Kathleen being followed by Min who is being followed by Juli. Midnight's entourage has just entered Almire, I believe, and my character is just watching the three others, and all of them are headed to the castle.)

[@Avenger
We're all really just wandering around at the moment. This is supposedly before the Prince sends out a request for the group to gather. For now, I'd recommend waiting fro Liminori to give your App the OK, then decide wherever you want your character to set out from. Midnight started out outside the castle, so even stuff like that's fine, because it counts as a "prologue" of sorts.
If you're in the city... Well... The layout is unclear. But if it's like what I have as an olden castle-city in my mind, there'll be several different districts to separate the classes (the rich, the middle-class, the slums, etc.), and other districts dedicated to certain specialties (merchant districts and such -- but that could be shared within the "middle-class" district(s)). There's also the castle, but unless the wizard which sent your character out gave a letter to deliver to the King Adraxon will probably not be within the Castle's main building -- or surrounding training areas or whatever it has as its immediate neighbors.

@Liminori
I was meaning some sort of summons from the Prince to interrupt any and all events, which would allow more actions to be taken -- seeing as that would be considered a "major plot point".]

Thanks! If you're talking to me.

"...you needn't know, Yuke. Now, if you excuse me, I have to go now..."

Kathleen quickly walks off down an alleyway, snaking into the dim shade of the buildings.

~~~

An odd fellow, that Min was.

Kathleen, as she set down her basket and deftly unbuttoned her dress, contemplated on what sort of person the one she had met so long ago what might be. She hadn't, at least not during her time as a Royal Guard Captain, encountered any sort of person like so.

The thrall bit her lip and cursed herself for leaving the Royal Guard. Perhaps if she had extended her service to the King...well, if he wasn't dead (or so she thought), then maybe she'd gain some insight as to what kind of curious people did that Min belong to.

But between the Princess and Kathleen's curiosity, of course the thrall would be willing to sacrifice everything, including her title and rank, to protect one of the Almirian royalty. This, enforced by her existing pseudo-maternal relationship to the girl, would give her few other options.

And for a moment, Kathleen looked at herself in the mirror, and sighed. She had seen the same curves, the same thin outlines for well over a century now. Her body could have only been adorned by the smallest of bangles and chains, as though she were still a little child, and though she considered beautiful when she was an adviser, her years as the Captain had made the veins more apparent. Too apparent.

If she at least didn't look like some sort of affliction in her blood, maybe she would've at least indulged in the company of others without being given a suspicious eye.

In her hand, she was tightly gripping the cloth bundle that was her dress. In frustration, she tossed the bundle at the wall with a PLAT!, before the dress crumpled to the cotton mattress.

But now wasn't the time to throw a tantrum.

Shaking her head, Kathleen threw on a jute shirt, one specifically made by her own hands to conceal her head. This was followed by a pair of trousers. The clothing of a landowning man, indeed these articles were, they had their own practicality that Kathleen could not deny. Of course, socks were a necessity for colder places; she kept these in her trouser pockets.

And then she began to clap on metal onto her self. White like bone, the cuirass, greaves, vambraces, and boots were made of a steel that was blanched in hot alcohol and given a white matte finish. This armor was the type that was reserved for the Royal Guard, though no piece of this set had the tree that aligned itself with Almire. While somewhat less dependable, it was much more discreet than the armor she wore as a Captain. Last of all, she fitted a mask onto her face : akin to a sort of chin-guard, two pieces of metal curved at her chin and ended with a split mandible in the center. The second piece covered over her eyes, though with the ultra-fine slits punched through the mask, she could see relatively well. And thus, only the lower tip of her nose and lips were visible.

Similar to her armor, Kathleen slung a massive pavise, white and plain, over her back. Again, no details hinting to Almirian allegiance, even if the steel was one unique to Almire.

What was most important, though, was her weapon of choice. A composite crossbow, built out of other cannibalized pieces and prototype segments for her own use. Unlike the rest of the Royal Guard that used heavy scopes, a raised groove called a bead allowed her to line her sights to her targets. That, with a heavier thumbhole stock (as opposed to those without stocks), more stability and rebounding force could be tolerated. In other words, compared to the traditional crossbow, the recurve design allowed for farther flights, despite the additional weight the weapon carried. Ironwood was the best Almire had to offer, and though she may inevitably find better resources, her need for a better weapon was not apparent...yet.

Whatever the bolts' tips were made out of, whoever was on the receiving end would get a dent in their armor at least. That was the extent of the force put into each shot. That was the reason why the crossbow was heavier.

With that concluded, Kathleen slung this too across her back, and strode out through an alternative route to a side gate, and promptly presented not her badge, but rather, a letter of summoning from a lord who's handwriting she had been able to forge years ago.

Juli stood there for a minute reading Min's description of his kind. "Wow. A lot of secrets." Juli smiles. "You can keep that page. I've got plenty of them! And you need it more than I do, anyway."

Juli looks around, but Kathleen's vanished. "Oh... darn! I was going to ask about those 'hairy folk' she was talking about. Apparently they know about lightning. Oh, wait, you heard that. Maybe? You might have forgotten it. Sometimes I forget things. Like sleep. I once stayed awake for about twenty-seven hours and fell asleep when mixing Thunderballs. They make really loud noises if you mix them right! And they make lightning, but it's harder to observe. It mostly just makes the air all lightning... uh... lightning... ey. Lightningy. That's not a word, is it? Oh my goodness, am I talking too much? Is this boring you?"

Juli responds first to the second sentence. "No, it won't. I guess I should try experimentation first. Might discover something new!"

Then, the last sentence. Juli shakes her head. "I don't think I know anywhere to eat. I've never been to this part of the city! Wow..." Juli looked around. "Everyone here has a lot of expensive things."

Juli stared at Rion for a few seconds. Didn't she see... nah, probably not. But... maybe... Ooh, he might know a spot. "Sir? Do you know anywhere someone can eat alone?"

Focus on puh-leasing duh Daddy b4 u play Warframe, because that thing is a time-muncher.

It's not too hard to run, provided that your computer is a windows with at least an i5 processor, but the gameplay itself is difficult until the later levels. Too many enemies for newer players to handle, new events rolling in about every month or two, etc. It's not terribly fast-paced, but you'll have to burn at least an hour or two a day to get anywhere.

(OOC: I was totally going to jump in, but I guess DoctorSpacebar was ahead of the game =P)

Rion acknowledged the enthusiastic girl with disdain. Not at all was it most likely ruining of his image for such a peasant to speak to him, yet she and her strange acquaintance would most likely become of use.

"Ah, of course, m'lady. I have some business at the castle, but for the moment being, am with naught to do. If you would gladly follow, I can provide some privacy for your solitude seeking friend, and perhaps a little assistance on your own projects," Rion said, with the most dignified smile he could hold.

He spun around, and motioned with two of his fingers. Accommodation at one of his manors would suffice for whatever needs were to please the two.

(OOC: Liminori, if you want to have some sort of connection between Rion's "business" at the castle and the starting of the plot, please go ahead.)

Min paused as the man spoke, taking in each word. This day was turning out to have a lot of conversations. On a regular day, perhaps one or two short chats would be all that Min would have. It didn't mind the conversation... But it was challenging to decipher the words of the Almirians. And more than the words themselves, the people of the capital often held hidden meanings behind their words. Sarcasm and hidden meanings were used as if it was a ceremonial practice -- and from what Min could make out from the mutterings of the rich women (which were still gossiping to the side about Min's appearance), the usage of these things only increased with the wealthy.

On that note, Min listens carefully to what Rion said. There was something else behind his words... Was there something to be earned for this man to let his hand out so freely to people he had never met -- or he was simply generous?

Min's stomach rumbles once again, barely audible over the murmurings of the surrounding nobles.

'Generous... It is.' Min nods to itself as it moves towards the man; it considers handing the papers back to Juli when it reaches her, but decides against it. If anything needs responding to on the journey to wherever this man was leading to, the communication would pass far easier through pages than from Min's helmet. At minimum, using it to say "Thank You" once they reach the destination would be far easier through pen than through speech.

Min's stomach grumbles one last time before he follows behind the man.

"Please... Be close..." Min mutters to itself as it holds the bread close to its chest -- there was no way it'd let its meal be spoiled after coming so close to a place to eat. Not on Min's watch.

---------------
[While I have the latest post...
@Liminori
Respond in Outnumbered. I can't move Strom 'till you do.
I don't like bringing up other RP's, but it's necessary, considering that you haven't moved Isphea in almost 100 posts and her movement is necessary to continue.]

((Posted a little later than I'd planned. Sorry about that.))

Juli smiled. "Excellent! Assistance would be wonderful. Lead the way, mister... uh... what's your name?" Juli began following Rion, grinning ear-to-ear, and slowly eating her own loaf of bread.

Min stopped outside of the Manor. There are only a couple of areas Min is comfortable with... Areas which echo easily, and open spaces, or areas with foliage to name a couple. Without them, Min cannot help but fumble around an area -- as it did with the first time it had ever stepped into the bakery.

Thinking back, that may have been the reason why the boy who worked there was so unnerved at the sight of Min.

There were, of course, ways of gaining familiarity with surroundings which did not echo or allow Min to feel the movement of the air. Tapping its foot against the ground and using the sound which comes back, or letting out a noise and waiting for it to return. But these techniques needed to be done at (literally) every turn, and would need to be quite loud for them to be effective.
Because of this, the building would be trouble to navigate through -- especially if the man, who had just addressed himself as Rion, had antique pots and/or paintings sitting around. To explain this, Min dips the quill in fresh ink, and writes on the parchment.

"Thank you for providing a place of solitude.

Do you have any areas outside that I may use?

A private garden, or

Perhaps a balcony of some sort

which can be reached from the outdoors?"

Min motions to its helmet, to indicate that it cannot use sight, it then thinks for a moment, as if collecting its thoughts to be put down on the now almost-full paper. It then writes again.

"Otherwise

A guide for the indoors

would be appreciated."

Min makes a small bow to apologize for the inconvenience.

[@Hexlash
How big approximately is the Manor, by the way? Is it like this? Or perhaps something smaller? I'm just wondering so I can gain a sense for how long it'd take to walk around in/around the building itself.]

"As fortunate as it may be for you, there is indeed a garden from where you may find peace." Rion then holds out a small object -- one whose details Min could not distinguish without further sensory input.

"Follow the hedges on the left, and use the key to unlock the garden doors. There you will find plenty of greenery to provide secrecy." Min nods, and bows once again to express its thanks. It then takes the key from Rion, moving it in its hands until it has familiarized the small object. This was probably the "key" which he spoke of. Min had never used one before. It had never needed to use one, as the location it slept was often simply far too much trouble to reach for a couple of coins to snatch -- not that Min wouldn't catch a thief should one have arrived upon it sleeping.
Min considers asking for help with the gate itself... But decides against it. Asking anything more of Rion after he had selflessly led Min and Juli to his residence would be taking advantage of his kindness. Min would just have to figure it out when it got to the gate.

Min waits a moment before the wind brings a sleight noise to the bushes on the left, and then follows them after bowing slightly to Juli; leaving her and Rion to themselves.

After reaching what must be the Garden Doors, Min pauses in front of them.

'Now...'

'How do I... Use this..?' Min's facial reaction, if it could be seen from under its mask, would be something like this.

Instantly regretting not asking for further instructions on how to use the small metallic object, Min turns back the way it came --before stopping itself mid-turn.

'No... I can't... Go back.'

By this time, Juli and Rion would have already gone inside, and Min would have to enter the home to find them and explain its dilemma with the odd contraption. But if Min went inside... It would defeat the purpose of asking to have a space outside.

As Min struggles internally, it comes with a solution. It faces the gate and taps it, letting the vibration travel through the garden doors[¹], which allows Min to get a good mental image of the door. Min then looks to the wall on its right[²], and knocks it, allowing the sound it makes to travel back to Min. With the images of both the gate, and the wall beside it clear in its mind, Min steps back...

It then proceeds to take two swift steps at a 60° angle relative to the original path to the gate (meaning it was headed more for the wall than the gate itself), on the third step, Min jumps with an alarming absence of weight. While Min's armor may appear heavy, it is, in the end, mainly Chain-mail weaves with only a couple pure-iron areas; Its net weight is only around 75-90kg[³].

It then tilts its body in mid-air to land almost square to the building's surface, and uses the horizontal force it had built up in the small run along the building's wall and over the gate, and land swiftly on the other side. The entire maneuver is almost completely silent, and ends with Min landing perfectly on the balls of its feet with a sleight "clank".

It turns back to the gate and grins.

Learning how to successfully open a gate: Avoided.
---------------
[¹: I assume them to be something like this, and about height of a regular person.
²: I'm also assuming the path followed beside the Manor, meaning the wall would be on Min's right
³: I actually ended up using the "Devine Formula" to find Min's approximate weight, then added on the weight of another half a human (give or take a couple of kg -- seeing as I don't know how much Min's equipment would really weigh)

I'll post again in a bit, I just don't want my post to get too big.]

Min turns to back to the task -- or area at hand. A calm wind flows through the garden, allowing the sounds of the foliage to rustle freely, giving Min a detailed map of where the plants are. With that knowledge, Min can at least assume where the pavement continues, and where grass begins[¹]. It follows the path and takes a turn alongside the building. To its right, there is a back entrance to the manor itself. To the left, there is a courtyard with two paths on its right and left -- the center is filled with flowers and other pleasant-smelling plant-life.

Min takes the path closest to it (the left path of the courtyard), and follows the path, which merges with the other side at the end of the courtyard to become another path, which Min follows until reaching a small shelter. Judging by the sounds of the foliage and the smell in the air, this area would have to be quite beautiful, and the trees around would make it hard for any onlookers to see anything going on under the shelter, which, after a tap of Min's hand, appears to be made out of a high-quality wood. There appears to be curtains around the shelter... But Min can't imagine why.

A small gate-like structure is on the perimeter of the shelter -- perhaps to halt children who would impede on their parent's business with Rion should they bring them along. A small gate stands in Min's path.

Min knocks on the small protection-measure, getting the layout of it... Before noticing a similar design to the original garden-gate. Min lifts up the key, trembling.

Had the time come to learn how to use this odd contraption? Would the gates become usable to Min in the future? Would Min fall to the temptation of fiddling with a small object to hope to somehow open a gate?

[[Find out on next episode of DBZ! -- Sorry. Had to be said.]]

No. Not today.

Min then hops over the small gate entrance, landing before the empty table and chairs with a smirk under its helmet. Gates-defeated: 2 / ???

It then sits down at one of the empty chairs, getting a feel of it for a moment before relaxing and pulling itself close to the table. It then sets down the many items that have been in its hands this entire time. Starting with its Black Bread, which it places delicately onto the table, followed by the odd metal-object (the key).

Min then puts down the paper, ink, and quil. Each in their own organised areas. That organization proves to be a mistake.

A couple of moments after Min has set down the paper and reached over to its bread, the wind picks up and flows through the shelter -- it would be refreshing if it hadn't decided to pick up the paper and carry the parchment with it out of the small gated-area.

"!!!" Min notices the paper's departure with the wind the instant they leave the table, but due to its reach being put towards the bread, the paper escapes.

'That paper..! I must get it..! But...' Min looks to the bread on the table, it was going to get cold if it sat there too long, and Min was getting terribly hungry. It then looks back to the paper, which was getting further and further away the longer it sat at the table 'But the paper..!'

Min stands up with enough speed and force to make the chair it was sitting in blast back and hit the small fence with a "clang", it then jumps over the gate and dashes after the flying paper. There are 6 pieces in total.

--------------
[[¹: Because I actually have no idea what the garden looks like, I'll assume it's what an olden rich-person's back yard would look like. I'd assume it to have a small path following at the side of the building, it would then turn alongside the Manor, leading to an open courtyard-type thing.
The path would then continue around said courtyard to evetually lead to a private shelter-type area with a table and a couple of chairs (which would be used to allow guests to rest after a walk to conduct any personal business they had to visit Rion at his manor -- probably economic-oriented business).
It has a perimiter gate, and curtains on all sides to be used as wind-blockers -- the curtains are sort of like Rail Curtains, just with wooden beams through them so they don't flow through the perimeter gate when the wind picks up.]]

[[So, I still have questions for the stats regarding the following excerpt from post #140:
Skills can be upgraded infinitely, though it's better to work on multiple skills instead of just one.
You can only have up to 9 for a max on points per skill.
You get a total of 30 points to allocate to your skills.

What do you mean by Skills? Do you mean like... Abilities, like the ones you click on in MMO's? Like... Axe Swing or Defend?
Or do you mean Stats? [[Le rhetorical question -- I know you mean Stats. You... Do mean stats, right?]]

I currently assume that the 30 point allocation is for Lv. 1, and at Lv. 1, you can only have a max of 9 points allocated on any one skill. After Lv. 1, you can spend your points as you like. If it's not like that, then the first and second lines contradict each other; If I can "upgrade [the skills] infinitely", there should be no "max on points".
And on the note of Lv. 1: are all stats automatically at "1" without any of the said 30 original points being spent? Or is the minimum 0?

Also, you still didn't mention what happens when a character Levels up (which you said you'd figure out back in #98), which was the main problem I had with the stat system, because Min should be above Lv. 1.
I've added the base Lv. 1 stats to Min's Application, but I'll need to know what happens with leveling up, and the EXP gained from "regular" enemies -- like thugs -- to decide what Lv. Min should be.]]

---------------

[[EDIT to conserve space and reply to post #143 == Sat, 12/27/2014 - 23:57
Alright. Changed base stats in Min's Application. We all start at Lv. 0 regardless of past-experience then?

Also... How many Stat points do you gain per level? And what's that mini-equation within the Level up Formula (the "(divided by 2 = modpoints)" thing)?]]

---------------

[[EDIT to conserve space
After reading Hexlash's note that he'll be on vacation (and with several other events happening between that reading and now), I remembered that I didn't mention that I'd be gone on vacation as well for the entirety of next week (starting on the 28th or 29th through to the 2nd or 3rd).
I said it in Outnumbered, but forgot to put it here. Whoops.
Min should be running after papers for the next couple of posts, anyways. But if anything happens, like a sudden attack on the mansion, Min should try to talk its way out of it. And then fail spectacularly because its helmet will mess everything he says up, and leave only things which can be taken the wrong way.
HOORAY FOR 0 CHARISMA!
HOORAY FOR MUFFLING-EYELESS-HELM!
HOORAY FOR MIN! :D

Control of Min is to whoever wants to write for him if anything draws it into combat/action/things. If no one volunteers, it'd be up to the magical GM, Liminori.

Since I'll be gone, I'll say it here: Happy (early) New Year!]]

Strength: 6 (not much has changed since her initial disappearance)

Dexterity: 2 (is that rigor mortis I see?)

Constitution: 5 (regardless of the time that's passed, a body is still a body, old as it is)

Stamina: 6 (what's a woman to do when she's spent much of her life doing chores?)

Charisma: 3 (no, beauty does not come with age, especially with those black veins of hers)

Wisdom: 2 (Despite all these years she's been alive, well...the lack of control in part by the royal Almirian family held little amounts of insightful opportunities other than work, work, work)

Intelligence: 6 (despite not knowing how to do anything beyond stoichiometry and some basic algebra, she can write as properly as she speaks. That, and she's willing to learn.)

(Focus): - -
(Armor): - -

~~~

After Kathleen had "infiltrated" the castle she had long roamed (somewhat) freely via a side gate (as mentioned before), she showed her letter to one of the servant girls (surely not anyone she knew; it had been decades since she was one herself), and instead of waiting like a good guest, decided to walk behind one of the various statues placed around the castle.

She then took off her helmet, and crouched, waiting, listening. She wasn't going to kill anyone, but she hoped to hear a conversation or some words that she might've not deigned to heed to before.

Kathleen merely whispered a quiet "yes", which was enough for her to follow his command : remembering. No way in heck was she going to follow his commands again afterwards, be it to quietly sabotage Vanaduke's progress or to eliminate him and the rest of the expedition altogether. She wouldn't allow the opportunity to happen.

Frankly, she was tired of the old King's demands. This time, she was going to listen to what Vanaduke had to say. He was a man with more compassion than your average lord, a quality that would make for a leader that people would love.

She slowly peeked her head out to try and keep track of where the Prince was going, but otherwise waited until the King was well away from his child. She had to kept these meeting clandestine, or else...well, that'd be the end of her freedom.