#I also got sidetracked but here's hoping we're back on track to something better

[draconivn]

C.007 | Daughter of the Takeda

Disclaimer: I don’t own Samurai Love Ballad: PARTY or its characters. Hints of spoilers to one of the routes. Summary: You wanted to do more than just be in the kitchen like any woman would’ve known how to do. You want to explore. You want to become so much more. But when you live in a world of war, what you decide to do in your past ends up following you to your future, even though the battlefield is no place for a woman. Will you find love or will you only find blood? Saizo x OC MC Masterpost: LINK

Chapter 7: A New Instruction

It had been two days since then that I was carrying Lord Shingen's morning tea to his chambers when a retainer approached me to tell me I was being summoned. Breakfast service was done, so I didn’t have to rush and tell Umeko or Matsuko to proceed without me. I thanked him, and continued on my way over. I could hear Lord Yukimura's voice from within, so I knocked before announcing myself. "Lord Shingen, it's Zaria."

"Come in."

There wasn't much of a pause from when I announced myself to when he told me to come in, so I slid open the door and entered, bowing my head with the tray. It seemed that Master Sasuke and Saizo was also in here with them, and I glanced down at the tray I brought. "Pardon the intrusion, Milords. Lord Shingen, I was bringing your tea when I was informed you summoned for me?"

“You’re just in time.” He gestured to the edge of his desk. “You can place it there for now and have a seat.”

I nodded. “Pardon me, Milords.” I placed the tray down on his desk carefully, pouring the cup before taking a seat. I glanced over at others, but it seemed that neither Lord Yukimura or Saizo had an idea of where this conversation was headed now that I was here.

“Zaria, I’m sending you to Ueda to live and train with Yukimura.”

“What–” I was speechless. Train with Lord Yukimura in Ueda?

Surprise and confusion hung in the air, while Master Sasuke seemed calm about it as Lord Shingen kept speaking. 

“This is only temporary. Yukimura, I’m tasking you to train her in the proper ways of a samurai, from weapons to riding a horse. I don’t want a single thing left out. If she needs to be trained alongside your men, so be it.”

Lord Yukimura looked at me, then back to him, a stammered response coming out before he could finally find the words, “B-But Milord… I don’t understand the reason for all of this.”

“Even an onna-bugeisha of my house needs to ensure she has her basics, Yukimura.” Lord Shingen spoke so matter-of-factly as he explained the reason like he was talking about the weather, but it didn’t seem to settle the surprise we felt over the matter. 

It was all so sudden, and my gaze was on Saizo for his reaction, but he had already schooled his expressions while we were more verbal and expressive on the matter. 

“I won’t be around forever, and she’s going to need to learn everything she can before she can lead the clan.” Lord Shingen’s words were like a last will of sorts, leaving me with an unsettling feeling.

“Lead the clan…?”

“But…” I looked to Lord Shingen. “...I don’t quite understand why I’d have to be sent to Ueda, Milord.”

“Many people would want the head of the clan dead, Zaria. If people were to know you were next in line, then you wouldn’t be safe in the condition you’re in. By sending you to Ueda where you can get the utmost amount of training since Yukimura is already training his men and others, rather than consume that time through travelling back and forth from here. You will also be safer this way, but I expect you to be fully trained in two months.”

Saizo seemed to not care, but rather, question the usage of Lord Yukimura’s time. “So we’re expected to turn a castle cook into the new head of the Takeda? That’s a pretty tall order, Shingen.”

Master Sasuke spoke up next, drawing our attention to him. “She’s already got quite a bit of skill, so you don’t have to worry about her being able to lift, but it’s just a matter of making sure she has the foundations of a samurai. Well, in her case, an onna-bugeisha.” He looked over to me with a grin. “But with everything you already know, you might end up being a new kind of onna-bugeisha."

I diverted my gaze from Lord Yukimura and Saizo. This discussion was far from what I expected to happen in telling them. Then again, I didn't have a plan of how to tell them properly. But it was too late, now that Lord Shingen and Master Sasuke were saying all these things. "You say that as if I know more than you, but I only know what you’ve all taught me before.”

Lord Shingen chuckled, his reaction halting any starts of protests. "I trust you'll be learning a lot, Zaria. Yukimura is one of our best in the army, I'm sure you know that already, but there is no one else I'd trust to train you." His laughing expression turned serious. "But we can't have word of this spreading around. In Ueda, it will be fine if everyone knows where she stands in the clan, but anyone else may pose a danger if they were to know. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Milord."

Despite the fact that I responded with the both of them, I felt hesitation and uncertainty. I wasn’t schooling my expressions today, and it seemed that Lord Shingen caught sight of it when he called to me,

"Zaria, stay back for a moment." He waited as Master Sasuke, Lord Yukimura and Saizo got up to leave, shutting the door behind them. "Something on your mind, little cub?"

I relaxed a bit when he addressed me as such, though I could only glance at the doorway. "I know you said that it'd be safer to go to Ueda but… is there really no other way?"

“Come here.” Lord Shingen motioned me over.

I got up and sat right in front of him, his large hand coming up to rest on my head. 

"You have a big responsibility, Zaria. If someone doesn't take over this clan, you will, and I know you’ve seen the things everyone has had to do around here to ensure the Takeda continue to survive. This is the only option we have right now if you’re nowhere near ready." He had to say it so bluntly, like there was really no other answer, no matter how much I wanted to stay and learn here. 

"But I can also learn about the clan's affairs just as well by being here!"

"I know you've been listening well when you come to deliver tea, but knowing how to handle the politics of the Takeda is only half the battle. You'll go to Ueda with Yukimura and Saizo when they leave for the day. Use this time to learn from Yukimura and then come back to me. I'll teach you as much as I can. I know you like cooking, but don't overdo it when you get there, yeah?" He grinned, ruffling my hair.

"L-Lord Shingen!"

"Hey now, aren't you being a bit too informal? I'm your old man now."

I chewed on my lower lip, as the words sunk into my head. That's right. I have someone to call that now. I looked up at him after a moment and smiled. "Thank you, Father. I'll make sure to train well."

"That's my little cub." He grinned. "Now go see Kiku. If we're going to show you off as a lady of this House, she'll make sure you know how to knock 'em dead. Just make sure you give yourself some time to pack."

"Thank you, L- Father." I nodded and stood up, excusing myself from his chambers. I appreciated the things that Lord Shingen was doing for me, and it seemed that there was really no other way to go about it. I couldn't keep being scared and hiding in my fear of others knowing, but I had to work hard to show that his decision to allow me in was not for nothing. I knew Lord Yukimura and Saizo would start questioning everything as soon as they saw me but up ahead, I could see them talking to Master Sasuke before I slipped around the corner. My footsteps picked up at the sound of my name being called but I pretended to not hear it.

What was that about not being scared and hiding in your fear of others knowing?

… J-Just give me a bit more time and I'll talk to them.

You're contradicting yourself again.

I'm trying my best. I shook my head clear and went down an alternate corridor towards Lady Kiku's chambers in hopes she was there.

Lady Kiku was Lord Shingen's niece, beautiful and sweet. We had met before in passing, though I wasn't sure if she remembered me at first. Or at least, I was mistaken to think so, the very thought flying out the window when I saw the way she lit up when I came in. Sounds of glee filled the room and kimonos flew in every direction in every attempt to help me dress the part of my new station, hardly wasting any time in dolling me up with lessons for the entire morning. Lunch had been spent focused on mannerisms, while her lessons on how to walk and behave like a noble lady were ruthless, meaning to undo every way I knew how to walk as it already was. 

"–Is what Uncle says is true? That you'll be fighting on the battlefield too?"

"Huh?" I stopped in my tracks to look at her. I nearly dropped the book I was using to keep my head steady to the floor, my hands reflexively catching it for my practice to halt temporarily. "He told you about that, did he…"

Lady Kiku was intuitive, but she also had a curiosity that seemed to try and understand the freedom Lord Shingen seemed to brazenly have, as if wanting that for her own. While she sat there looking pretty and elegant, her way of speaking had become more casual as she went on. "When he told me about teaching you, I didn't quite understand why he had taken on a daughter instead of a bride. I know it's not my business to ask, but he told me anyhow." She smiled and leaned forward a little, her eyes curious. "But you're too pretty for the battlefield. Any man would probably fall in love with you if you were more confident in yourself. Hmm…"

I never wanted to disagree more than I did then and there, but it was hard to deny it when she was getting a little too close, making me blink and lean back bit by bit. "W-What is it…?"

She had an innocent look on her face, mischief flickering over for a moment. "If you had to marry a samurai, who would you pick?"

I was taken aback at the question. "W-Why the s-sudden question?" My cheeks flared up, taking a step back to avoid her peering gaze.

She smiled, leaning back as if she enjoyed being able to get this out of me. "It's been so long since I've been able to have any girl talk. Come on, do tell! One day we'll have to get married, but if you could pick, what kind of man would marry?" She patted the spot next to her, drawing me away from my practice.

"If I could…?" I echoed back.

"It doesn't hurt to dream a little, would it?"

Lord Shingen's words about marriage a few nights ago were no longer a worry, yet I still felt like I had done this irreversible crime that slapped Saizo in the face. But I was ready to be hated for what I was doing, out of my own selfishness, out of the need for duty. I wanted to make sure the people I cared about didn't die, and unfortunately, this was the consequence of my selfishness. Even though I had considered Saizo in my decision-making, I was that much more afraid of losing him physically than emotionally.

Then Lord Yukimura would lose someone close to him, and he would have to deal with that. Other people's happiness was my happiness, and I didn't want to see anyone suffer.

In this position, I held responsibility for my simple yes. It was a trade-off that never would've given me equal to what it would receive. I had much to learn in so little time.

Being at Ueda wouldn't do anything to save that affection. 

So after a moment of thinking, I gave Lady Kiku a sheepish smile. I’ll let my words betray my thoughts just this once. "I wouldn't know, Lady Kiku. It's never really crossed my mind."

[candicereeves]

(( To many to tag so just gonna tag Main: @centralcitysfinest-rp ))

Standing in the Science Lab of the Waverider, Candice debated on what music to put on while she worked. Just as she was about to ask Gideon for some music, a screen near by flicked to life. Looking over at the screen she immediately recognized the man looking at her.

"Gary, to what do I owe the pleasure? I thought our usual D&D game was postponed for this week, or did I miss it? Time gets confusing." Candice said.

"No this isn't about that Candice. At least not this time around. Besides you threw off the whole campaign last session." Gary commented.

"Huh.. almost like when you sent the Legends off in 1980 London." Candice quipped back. Gary adjusted how glasses and gave an awkward chough.

"Right, well anyway I actually called for a reason. Some coincidence that I happen to call you alone in the science lab right?" He said.

"Little creepy when you put it that way." She said watching him. "You do know that if you're creeping up behind me I have no problem torching your ass right?" Candice said.

"I'm not on the Waverider, at least not yet. See the thing is, we actually need you here at the Time Bureau. See we've noticed the Legends have become rather... Well crowded..." Gary said.

"Still not liking where this is going Gary." Candice said as she watched him. Though she did have to admit, he was a bit right, the Legends were crowded on the Waverider.

"Well the thing is in order to help build bridges between the Legends and the Time Bureau, some of you will be working here, present day Central City. You'll be paid, and of course given normal hours. Sort of a nine to five kind of job." He said with a smile as he explained.

"That sounds so corporate. You do know that I like the Waverider for a lot of reasons." She retorted as she grabbed a nearby piece of tech to work on.

"Candice, we're inviting you to help the Time Bureau with tech." Gary said. Looking over she gave a small curious glance.

"Go on." She commented as she watched him.

"We've noticed the stuff you've made. That pistol alone is closer to Rip's pistol than anything our techs could come up with. Plus our time couriers could use some upgrades. You'll get to take them apart." Gary said.

"Fisrt off the Tesla Pistol is a divergent of Rip's pistol, second you're going to allow me to take apart a time courier so I can upgrade them?" She asked.

"Among building weapons and tech. You'll also be responsible for keeping track of the time map. Might of been thanks to a certain dm explaining how well you kept track of events in our D&D game." Gary boasted.

"Really Gary? You used our D&D game to help convince Ava into giving me access to all of that?" Candice asked.

"Possibly." He replied. Letting out a sigh she looked around the lab. "You still want to stay I know. Candice we need you here. Please help the Time Bureau, your our only hope." Gary said.

"You're not gonna Princesses Leia me. I'm not your Obi-Wan." She said with a sigh. "Look if I'm going to join the Time Bureau, there are a lot of things I need." Candice said.

"A list of demands? Candice I can't promise you will get what you want." Gary said. "I mean if it were up to me I would probably say yes." He added.

"That's cause you're a push over Gary. They aren't demands, you already won me over with the time courier. This is a list of things I need in order to work, and possibly to help whoever else is on my team. Wait who is on the team besides me?" Candice asked as she got sidetracked from her own train of thought.

"Well... Let's see, Rip Hunter will be the leader naturally, You as the team technician, Leo Rivera and Leo Snart as the Field Agents, and someone named Terry McGinnis as a Field Agent and History Consultant." Gary explained.

Candice let out a soft giggle at the fact that the team had two Leos. "Ah yes Team Leo, where you don't know who is who." She joked.

"Candice this is a serious list." Gary said as Candice laughed a bit. "Fia! Focus please!" He said trying to get her to focus.

"I'm sorry Gary, but you have to admit Leo and Leo on the same team is so stupid and funny." She said. Gary let out a sigh as Candice calmed down a bit.

"You had a list of demands you were going to make." Gary said. Candice rolled her eyes as she looked back at the screen.

"Not demands, requests. I need my own lab to work in. Not a small crammed room, I need space to work on multiple projects at once." She explained.

"I think that will get approved, I mean that just seems like a no brainier, but you do know that we won't be able to give you anything to big." Gary said.

"Yeah I know, still nice to have room to spread out. Also this is more for the team than just me, we need a meeting room, something kind of like the study on the Waverider, actually it might be better if I just worked up a floor plan." Candice said.

"This is starting to sound like its own building Candice. Pretty sure we can't get that approved." Gary said.

"Trust me it won't be as bad as you're thinking. Just wait til you see the floor plan. In any case, I am going to need to be allowed to play music while I work. Nothing worse than being bored while working on a project." She said with a groan.

"I'll run it by Director Sharp." Gary said. "Is that all?" He asked.

"Let's see, meeting room, personal science lab, kitchen, library, relaxation room, bathrooms, ability to play music, I think that about covers it." Candice said. "I will miss Gideon though, and the others...." She added with a sigh.

"We can see if there is a way for you to keep in contact with Gideon and the others Candice. If you draft up a floor plan I will see what I can do about making it a reality." Gary said.

"I guess I should pack up my room. Well what little stuff I have here on the Waverider." She commented. Letting out a sigh she looked back at the screen. Candice could feel her heart sink a bit, she loved the Waverider and the adventure that came with it.

"I uh... I guess we'll contact you... At the very least I have your number from when we started playing D&D together." Gary said. Candice gave him a nod before the screen turned off.

Looking around, Candice grabbed a few of her items before heading off to her shared room with Zari. Peeking her head in, she didn't see the other woman. "Guess that makes this easier." She said to herself.

Walking away Candice got Gideon to make her a box to store her stuff in. Packing up what little she had, few extra clothes, couple of books, as well as some tech she had built in the science lab, she set off to leave the Waverider.

"Guess this is bye for now Gideon." Candice said as she stood at the cargo door.

"For now Ms. Reeves, but I am sure we will talk again soon." Gideon replied.

"I know, but some dumb science lab at the Time Bureau is nothing like the Waverider. I just... I don't know felt more at home here." Candice said.

"I know Ms. Reeves." Gideon said. Giving the frame of the doorway a light punch tap, she looked up at the com.

"Guess I will see you around Gideon." Candice said as the Cargo door open. Turning away, Candice left the Waverider. As she walked away, she gave one last glance before watching the ship vanish into thin air as the stealth plates hid the ship from sight.

Giving it a moment of thought, Candice didn't want to head home cause she didn't want to potentially wake Charlie, and heading to S.T.A.R. Labs would be kind of creepy without Cisco being around.

Digging into her pocket she pulled out her breeching device. Pressing the button a portal opened and she jumped through. There was no harm in heading home for a small bit, besides at this moment, Candice kind of wanted to be around her parents.

Jumping through the portal she landed in the near identical spot on her Earth. Taking a deep breath, she looked around to make sure no one had seen her. "Now to head home." She said as she pocketed the breeching device.

Walking into her parents house, she closed the door quietly. Setting the box of stuff down as she walked in, she noticed some lights on. "Hello?" She called out.

"Candice? What are you doing home?" A female voice called from the kitchen. Candice walked in and gave her mom a small smile. "Sweetie, you were just here not to long ago, aren't the Legends going to be upset with you for taking so many vacations?" Her mother asked.

"Yeah this is just for a little while, not a full vacation like last time. Where's dad?" Candice asked as she took a seat at the kitchen table.

"He's working late, but he should be home soon. So. What is wrong dear? The girl you like reject you?" Candice's mom asked.

"Mom!" Candice said like a teenager that was embarrassed. "I just.. I'd rather not talk about that right this moment." Candice said.

"Oh sweetie, come here let me give you a hug." Her mom said as she walked around to hug Candice.

"Ah gross! Mom hugs!" Candice joked as she hugged her mom.

"So what is wrong. Something is up I know it. If it isn't the girl, then it's your new team." Her mom said as she walked over to the fridge.

"Yeah. I'm going to be on a new new team. Still the Legends, but working for this group called The Time Bureau." Candice explained.

"Yet you're not happy with the job are you?" Her mom asked. "Aren't they the ones that trapped you in London?" Her mom asked. Candice gave a nod of confirmation. "So why are you working for them instead of being on the ship?" Her mom asked.

"It's a new way to alleviate the crowdedness of the Waverider as well as build bridges with the Time Bureau. I get to be head tech girl for the team, and helping outfit the Bureau with new stuff." Candice explained.

"I get to do a lot of cool stuff for the bureau. I get to take apart some of their closely guarded tech to help improve it and I get my own lab which is nice since I've always been sharing it with someone. However the Waverider afforded me visits to the unknown and being stuck in the present is going to be boring." Candice said.

"It sounds like a more stable job though. One that would afford you more time with that woman you were telling me about last time." Her mom said with a small smile.

"I know and I can go back to volunteering at the hospital for the kids, I missed that while zooming around on the Waverider." Candice said.

The front door opened and a small sound of someone almost tripping came from the main hall. "Lonnie! Why is there a box of crap in the hallway?" A man's voice called out.

"Ted! That isn't a box of crap, that is Candice's stuff." Her mom called back. Though she did give Candice a parental glare at leaving stuff in the hallway.

"Sorry Dad! I thought you were home when I set that stuff down." Candice called out.

"What are you doing home?" He called out as he closed the door.

"Just needed a place for the night. I'll be back on Earth-1 in the morning." Candice called out. "Here let me come move my stuff before you trip again." Candice said as she got up from the table.

Heading into the hallway, she smiled as she saw her dad. Wrapping her arms around him, it was clear that she caught him off guard. The man gave a soft chuckle before hugging her back.

"Everything okay Candice? This is twice in what? A few weeks?" He asked as Candice pulled away from the hug.

"Yeah, but like I said I'm heading back in the morning, just needed a place to stay for the night, and all my Earth-1 places were just not where I needed to be for tonight." She explained as she grabbed her box of stuff.

"Alright pumpkin, what happened?" He asked her.

"Just got transferred from adventure to a lab. That's all. Mom knows more gonna go put this in my room." Candice said as she headed upstairs.

"Wash up while you're up there! Dinner will be ready in a bit." Her mom called out as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Ugh! The worst!" Candice jokingly called back. Reaching her room, she placed the box on her bed before heading to clean up. She didn't really need to eat, but Candice wasn't going to pass up her mom's cooking.

Heading back downstairs she smiled at her parents. "I'd say I'm starving, but I don't lie." Candice joked. Her mom rolled her eyes a bit.

"Doesn't stop you from eating." Her dad joked.

"Look even a nuclear reactor needs fuel and mom does cook some really good food." Candice said.

Her mom slid a plate in front of Candice with a smile. "I caught your dad up on everything." Her mom said.

"So... I have to ask, what is so bad about the Time Bureau?" Her dad asked.

"Well one they have hated the Legends for a while, even getting us stuck in 1980 London for a short time. I mean don't get me wrong, I'm going to go join the Time Bureau branch, but I'm going to miss being able to zip around time." Candice explained.

"You know you didn't used to need time travel to have adventures Candice." Her mom said.

"Yeah well that is cause I worked with the Flash, got kicked off the team, help stop Reverse Flash, sealed up the world ending breech, came back and helped stop Godspeed." Candice explained. "Even then between vanishing and showing back up I was in a new Earth and learning new things." She added.

"Sweetie, you can always learn new things from a stable job like the one at the Time Bureau." Her mom said.

"I know Mom, it's just... I don't know saving time was fun and different. It was learning more about Earth-1 from actual history instead of reading about it in books." Candice said.

"What's wrong with book?" Her dad interjected.

"Nothing dad. It's just what is better, reading history written by the winner of an event, or living through that event in real time?" She asked.

"Fair point, but still I'm sure there is plenty for you to learn from in books." Her dad said.

"I know dad, just I'm going to miss it is all." Candice said.

"There feels like more you're not telling us." Her mom said.

"The Waverider, and the Legends felt like home away from home. We we're all a bunch of people who didn't fit anywhere and oddly enough fit together like a big weird family." Candice explained.

"And you feel like you're loosing that family by being at the Bureau." Her mom commented.

"Yeah.. a bit.. plus the ship has an A.I. named Gideon and I'm going to miss having her around. I asked the Time Bureau if there would be a way for me to keep in contact with Gideon, but stuff has to be approved and what not so I gave them a list of requests." Candice said.

"Please don't tell me you demanded stuff just cause you hate the group." Her mom said with a sigh.

"Mom! I said requests not demands. I plan on working there I just need some things in order to be efficient, my own space to work of stuff hence my own lab to build and tinker with and the ability to play music while I work." Candice said.

"Music can distract you Candice." Her mom said with a sigh. "Don't expect them to hand over that kind of stuff, they are going to have to justify allowing you that kind of freedom. If it comes down to it they might find someone else." Her mom explained.

"Mom, they need me the Legends can make due, Zari is really good at tech for the Waverider, but I built the Tesla gun after getting a glance of Rip's pistol and my speed force knowledge of how to throw lightning. That kind of engineering skills is not something they are just going to avoid just because I asked for some music and my own space to work." Candice said.

"I hope you're right sweetie, I'd hate for you to not get that job." Her mom said. The rest of the meal, they talked about mindless stuff, how things were since she was last there a week ago.

Once they were finished eating, her dad headed off to bed while Candice stayed and helped her mom clean the dishes. "Candice, are you sure you're alright with the job change?" Her mom asked.

"I mean we've already talked about this, I'm having to leave my family for some corporate job." Candice said. Her mom gave a small chuckle at her.

"It's not going to be a corporate job like you say it is dear. If they truly want you to be the head technician of this new team, it sounds like they hold you in high regards. I know another man that wanted to hire you for a corporate job as well." Her mom commented.

"Yeah, but Wells was impressed by my frozen spiders." Candice said with a smile.

"Please don't remind me of those. Do you know how many times I nearly put them in one of my drinks." Her mom said. "And do not get me started on that pet scorpion you had." She added.

"Look you guys bought me the scorpion, not my fault dad got spooked as smashed him with a hammer." Candice said.

"You left him out of his cage. Of course your father freaked out." Her mom said.

"I know, I just left him for a few seconds so I could go to the bathroom. I didn't really he would of traveled so far." She said. "Though I do have to say I was rather impressed by the scream dad let out." Candice said with an amused smile.

"You're dad couldn't speak for a week cause he damaged his vocal cords." Her mom pointed out.

"I know, and I helped be his voice at work that week remember, you guys pulled me out of school so I could help him." Candice said.

"You know, your dad and I worry about you." Her mom said as she dried off her hands.

"I know Mom, I'm okay I promise. I'm still working on the Multiverse phone thing, that way we can stay in contact more often, but it's been challenging getting it to work. Needs more tests and stuff." Candice explained.

Her mom smiled at her and handed over the hand towel. Candice took them and dried off her hands. "Go get some sleep, you have somewhere to be in the morning." Her mom said.

"Mom..." Candice said with a pouting lip. Her mom stared her down and Candice smiled at her. Wrapping her arms around her mom she let out a content sigh. "I love you." She said before heading up to bed.

Her mom smiled at her and returned the words before heading to bed herself. In the morning, Candice grabbed her box of stuff and headed downstairs. She said her goodbyes to her parents before heading out to find a hidden place to breech.

Jumping through the portal, Candice was once more met with the sounds of Earth-1. Letting out a sigh, she headed home to her place, at least long enough to set down the box of stuff. She couldn't lug that around all day.