Deputized!

Log Info

• Title: Deputized
• Emitter: Solar Flare
• Characters: Delilah, Donna, Ashes, Elyanna, Merek, Verna, Seyardu
• Place: A16: Nobility District, Court House and Jail
• Time: Monday, November 08, 2021, 8:49 PM
• Summary: The confrontation between the Valethor Gang, Norrington and Merek continues. Merek has implied that interfering with the surrendered prisoners is breaking the law, and because of his geas, he'll have to unleash hell. Ashes confirms Merek has been to Hell and knows how to unleash it. Delilah and Donna continue to plead for Norrington to listen, that there is an innocent woman at risk, but he's having none of it. There's someone he can execute to prove he has the biggest sword in the land, and he's going to. Until Magistrate Ironshield arrives and smacks Norrington in the epee. Verna and Seyardu are nearby and see the confusion. Ironshield gets the new evidence from Elyanna, and reads the excerpts she's marked, and observes how the book keeps writing. Experienced with magic, he immediately orders Norrington to secure Bethany's sister, her husband, and then deputizes the Valethor gang to help catch Veren, alive.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--<* A16: Nobility District *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

The splendor of the technology, bustle and eclectic energy of the city and nation of Alexandria all seem to point towards the towering structures and constant thrum of activity in the Castle District. The Castle District contains the vast majority of the government offices, guild headquartrs, noble quarters and political functions of the city. The very air seems energized with this level of importance. The architecture is pompous and enormous, consisting largely of multi-leveled edifices and great jutting towers and buildings that seem to grow out of the mountains with hanging gardens and brightly colored banners and mana lamps strewn about. Everything seems to be aiming upwards here and pointing towards the freedom of the skies beyond. The grand towers and structures reaching heavenwards and activity in the skies above a constant happening with ships of all sizes from air-cabs to great merchant vessels moving through the Skygates and Griffon Riders moving through their patrols as they pass through and above the many bridges and walkways that connect the towers, buildings and walls.

Ever-easterward stands the fortress-castle of Castellum Alexandrae and a large bulk of both ground and air traffic seems focused in that direction.

-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  Appearing  -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Donna        5'4"     106 Lb     Human             Female    A black-haired human girl in black robes.
Delilah      5'4"     106 Lb     Human             Female    A golden haired human girl in white robes.
Merek        5'10"    215 Lb     Human             Male      A black-haired, dusky male with golden eyes.
Ashes        5'11"    177 Lb     Hobgoblin         Female    A somber arvec in grey clothes with a skull face
Elyanna      5'11"    153 Lb     Half-Orc          Female    A grim, Arvek-blooded woman in raven feathers.
Verna        4'5"     98 Lb      Half-Elf          Female    Petite humanoid in bulky gray robes and cloak.
Seyardu      5'6"     150 Lb     Sith-Makar        Female    A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  NPCs of Note  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Knight Captain Norrington        Human             Male      A horse's ass masquerading as a Knight.
Magistrate Ironshield            Khazadi           Male      A judge who understands adventurers and magic.
Poppy                            Human             Female    Former ghost slave of the illithid, reborn.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  As the GM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Delilah      5'4"     106 Lb     Human             Female    A golden haired human girl in white robes.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

Previously

The Valethor gang and Merek confer in Mahuikaa's cottage regarding their return to Alexandria. Their preferred option is to go directly to jail, do not pass Go, do not collect 200 gold. Magistrate Ironshield is known to be a reasonable judge who understands adventurers and magic. Merek scrys him, and sees him in his office. Ashes uses a message spell to talk to him, and believes it successful even though he shows no signs of reacting. Merek casts his spell, the group, including Poppy, vanish and reappear... in the street. The courthouse is protected by magic that's simply not available to regular mages. Norrington also, apparently has a solid gold four leaf clover in the same place he keeps his stick, and immediately happens upon them. The guards leap to arrest the group.

Merek walks forward and along to Norrington while he takes the time to stand in front of him, staring down every one of the guards. That tranquil rage of his seems to be within and it's clear that he's become much more powerful from when Norrington saw him before. "Norrington. You are in violation of multiple laws that I have read, according to my Geas, I am authorized to uphold the law by taking you in as well if you keep me from upholding my Geas. Now you have to ask a question, do you really want someone the entire court put under Geas to be forced to act against the guards to fulfill his duty? You are keeping them away from custody."

He then adjusts that collar while he takes the time to consider, "Threats of family are in a special subsection of the law, and your performance would put you against justice. If any guard here would like to lift a hand to a man who took the time to assist in saving your entire known WORLD. Who could take every single one of you on, for the chance to take in a man serving the law. You are welcome, though. If you are into upholding the law and all value your job. Including you Norrington, I would suggest that you bring me to or deliver Ironshield before me. The choice is yours."

"*Captain,*" Donna forces out, squeezing her eyes shut. "We ain't here to evade the law. We got evidence you didn't, an' it ought to be considered. But more importantly? Bethany's sister, Captain. The one with the kid. Just... put some people on her an' make sure she's all right? If what we found is true, she's in *danger.* From her husband. Please."

The hope is, that 'The one with the kid' will be enough to at least sway him that far.

"We want to appeal the decision. An' *I* organized the break, an' *I* ain't slippin' out of that. If I gotta do time for that, that's fine. But it was me at the heart of it, not them."

Now

"Norrington, I advise you back down or my ex-boyfriend will show you why I broke up with him." Ashes says bluntly.

Norrington looks like he's right about to seize hold of Delilah and behead the sorceress right there and then. There is no blazing rage in his eyes, just the same air of general malaise that he always seems to have about him when dealing with the Valethor Twins. His advance, however, is stopped short by Merek's gambit, and he stops, rounding on the man. "What nonsense--" His eyebrows rise, and he snorts loudly. "If you believe that I or any other member of the guard have acted improperly, then I encourage you to file a legal complaint through the proper channels. Your Geas should also compel you to do *that*. As a private citizen you are more than welcome to uphold the law within the bounds that a private citizen is empowered to do so, such as capturing known fugitives." He gestures towards Donna, Dellilah, Ashes, and Elyanna in turn. "So, well done. Thank you. Your reward will be arranged and payed."

"Norrington," Delilah beings, clearing her throat, "Donna's right, Please, *Please* get someone with eyes on Lady Bethany's sister, Evelyn, she is in massive danger, we came back to--"

"ENOUGH!" roars Norrington, rounding on Delilah. "You do not give instructions here, fugitive who is *supposed to be dead*!" He bristles, drawing himself up to his full height. "None of you seem to appreciate that I am the law, here, and--"

"Actually," Booms a voice from the steps of the Courthouse, "*I* am the law." A dwarf, dressed in magistrate's robes and with stern wrinkles and a white beard dominating his face descends the steps. Magistrate Ironshield approaches calmly, fixing Norrington with a look that bestills any argument. "Merek, Norrington is correct, if you wish to complain about the actions of the guards, you may file a complaint. But do so later," He shifts his gaze to the man, "Not right now."

The dwarf folds his arms, and quirks one eyebrow upwards, as he looks to the twins and their friends. "Now, then. I received your message. Knight Captain Norrington, you will begin by taking Delilah Valethor into custody, *alive*, while the rest of you explain why she is not to go straight before the headsman."

Delilah's face turns white, but nevertheless she holds her hands behind her back, while one of Norrington's guards snap a set of manacles around the, next to the broken set that are already there.

Merek looks along to Ashlee when she threatens Norrington with him, he chuckles a bit, then he's back to listening and watching the man. Eventually, he will be about to speak, then the Magistrate will be there stating that he is the law. "As you wish, Magistrate. I only ask that to avoid any issues, you also assign your own personal people to the task of watching Delilah while we provide evidence. This is a humble request, and I don't pretend to demand you." He inclines, then a look to everyone else, "We should get this finished quickly. Remember, the other fact of this matter is that there is the actual killer, and they might be acting."

The red Lady of Blar, posture erect and wary, edges at once between the lawfully proffered weapons and their newly revivified young companion,.

"The girl with us is innocent in all respects, Captain." Elyanna asides, voice steady possessed of more familiarity of authority than she would rightfully wield in Alexandria proper, sparing a brief quizzical glance at Ashes then, even as she opens her mouth to respond to the interplay between Norrington and the others, a new authority weighs in and brings her up momentarily short.

Ahem, "Magistrate." she begins as she finds her bearings, "We have uncovered evidence of conspiracy to murder Lady Bethany Alenthor, and intent to murder Evelyn Alenthor and potentially her unborn. The malefactors act under the obfuscation provided by the regrettable, and exploitably well known relationship betwixt these sisters and the Captain."

There is a pointed glance to the spearpoints in her face, and she continues, "I hold such evidence, sir. I humbly entreat you bid these men allow me to present it to you." standing there as if in Court amongst the Peerage, but she makes no overt moves that might lead to a regretable thrust(or three).

"'S all true," Donna supplies, resting a hand on Poppy's shoulder. "T'only thing we intended to do the moment we fled th' city was find th' truth behind what happened. It was a long road, but we found it. An' in the doing, we learned that Lady Evelyn's life is in danger, an' we're hopin' we didn't come back too late t'save her."

The ashen Arvec Nar stands, staring at Norrington as he blusters and postures. He's not a mollusc, but some other sort of low species that is found in the wet and dark, somehow reincarnated in the form of a human. Although, that status does not preclude him being a monster, as she has found.

One not worth destroying, right now, but one she wouldn't hesitate to vomit a swarm of wasps upon either, given the need. She glares, contemplating whether it would be better to curse him with Nan Mochtrath's wrath or use a charm spell to force him to do his job.

It depends how good he is at following orders, the last standard of worth among hobgoblins.

Best to focus on the Magistrate, "A lot of magic is involved. And money."

One moment one is walking along a reasonably quiet street, and the next ... one walks upon a not so quiet gathering of armed individuals and other, familiar individuals upon said street. Verna looks up from her travels and slows, hood panning between marked Magistrate, armed guards, blustering nobles, and ...everyone else.

It has been a long time since the mourners have spoken with each other. The most notable, was Verna regarding Ashes habit of sleeping in the catacombs. There was a brief encounter after, in the memorial gardens, two ghost ships passing in the night. Since, Verna was deceased for a large portion of the time and Ashes was a fugitive.

Conflicting schedules, one might say.

They acknowledge each other with a nod and nothing more.

It was not often that Seyardu was in the nobility district, not needing to visit for many reasons, but on that day, she had been visiting Mithralla merchandise, and passing through the district became a necessity. There were many reasons to avoid it for certain, over zealous guards being one of them, such as on this day.

The silver sith-makar cleric happens upon a strange sight, where a group is gathered, some recognized, others new, or only seen in images.

"What is this about, here?" The cleric asks, one brow raised. "There is someone potentially in danger, and you are focused upon sending someone away in irons?"

Priorities.

With Delilah properly chained and a pair of guards flanking her, each holding one of her arms just to be safe, Norrington shifts his gaze to the rest of the party. "Get the rest of them," he instructs, "And gag Delilah, she's a sorceress and can--"

"Belay that," grinds Ironshield's voice. "None of them are wanted on capital crimes, Knight Captain. Only Miss Valethor. You will see her safely brought to the jails, where she will wait while her legal defenders sort out her appeal. If *any* harm should come to her, I will hold you personally responsible. And that would be unfortunate."

Delilah looks up at Norrington; Norrington looks down at Delilah.

"Graves," Norrington growls, "Godswin. Take Jenkins, Kurtz, Dennmar, and Blacktusk and see Miss Valethor into the high-security cell. If you are attacked en route, send for help immediately."

The named guards lieutenants and guards, including the two already flanking Delilah, and one orcish guard who looks like he could pick an elephant up and throw it, take up positions around her and rather firmly lead the sorceress away; Delilah shoots a look over her shoulder at Donna, before the big ork blocks her view.

"Can I go to?" Poppy inquires, but receives a stern look from Norrington, so she just ducks back behind Donna and Elyanna instead. At least they are friendly.

"Now," Ironshield intones, "You inform me that you have evidence, and that there are others who are in danger. No need to stand on ceremony. I will guarantee that anything you present here, if it demonstrates that there are people currently in danger, will still be usable as evidence in court later. If lives are at stake, that is now the top priority."

The Magistrate perks an eyebrow upwards at the newcomers, but for the moment makes no particular remark on the arrival of Verna or Seyardu.

Donna meets Delilah's eyes, and passes her sister an encouraging nod, but dares say nothing. Turning back to Ironshield, she tips her head toward the book in Elyanna's head. "It's all in there, Y'Honor. Elyanna'll show you th'relevant pages, that's the assassin's journal."

When Poppy hides behind the two, Donna ruffles the girl's hair. "S'okay, kiddo... Folk're gonna ask you to tell your story too, soon." Elyanna slowly parts her feathered cloak with her armoured hand, as the eldritch book is clutched to her bosom by the bare carmine fingers of the other.

She turns her head, glancing down to their young companion, "Poppy, hold quite still until we sort this out, please. These men are..." a glance toward the entourage taking Delilah away, "anxious. Stay with Donna."

She bows her head as she catches the gesture from Donna and starts to step toward the Dwarf, "The book is rather unique, Magistrate."

She opens the mystical tome first to a blank page at the back as she draws near, then flips backward until reaching a page that is scrawling with new text even as one watches, "This was seized from the lair of one who would bypass death. The killer in play was their apprentice at one point, and this book chronicles the life of this assassin."

There is a little nod toward the libram, and the small handful of ribbons, scraps, and even a tiny raven feather, that mark certain pages, "The feather describes the night the Lady Alenthor was murdered, Your Honor. The preceding two pages are how the murderer prepared for the day, down to how she broke her fast that morning. The red ribbon cites the first meeting of the slayer, Veren, and her co-conspirator and prime mover of these events. Yellow, orange and green mark the times she encountered the Captain under varied guises, to feel out how his perceptions may be twisted to best advantage..."

Of all present, Ash is the one perhaps most familiar and yet least encountered for ...quite some time. A nod of acknowledgement is give as Verna approaches the gathering obliquely, curious of the situation as well as concerned for a number of reasons. Seyardu voices one concern that is fortunately echoed by the majority. With little knowledge of the other details, and certainly no testimony to add at the moment, she instead watches the evidence presented.

The details of which promptly draw a frown. "None should bypass death," is noted flatly, to no one individual in particular.

"We took care of that." Ashlee intones gravely, with a finality suggestive of the Grey Lady. None did by-pass, though there was some delay in the final bell toll. Remaining still, The Mourner nods towards Verna. Her attention switches.

"The book documents everything the real murderer did." The ashen one addresses Magistrate Ironshield, "and who she plans to kill next. Bethany's sister."

"Where is she now?"

Merek looks between the party. He seems satisfied. He takes a long look at the Magistrate. He doesn't mention anything. Not now, not in this moment. It's clear he does not like the Geas. All the same he will wait until this matter is resolved to deal with that.

Legally he has no choice.

Seyardu did not know the whole picture here, but she had heard from others what had been happening, and it painted a poor view coupled with own experiences. But the cleric bites her tongue now, and she waits and watches, listening to everything being shared.

Poppy makes herself scarce; Ironshield glances in her direction with a raised eyebrow, but turns his attention swiftly back to Elyanna and the book in question. Partway through the explanation, he takes possession of the blue bound tome, and produces a monocle that he positions on the the side of his nose. He visits each of the marked pages in turn, and flips through to random places in between them.

This process takes several minutes, during which the guards all stand with baited breath. Norrington glances sideways, unable to quite contain himself, though it seems unlikely he can actually read anything from the angle where he is standing.

At last, Ironshield flips to the end; not the back of the book, but simply the last page where there's writing.

Where it is in fact still being written.

This he studies for a long minute, his expression unreadable behind beard and lens.

"Knight Captain," he rumbles at last. "Send two thirds of your men to the Alenthor estate immediately. If Lady Evelynn is there they are to fortify the premises, permit absolutely no visitors, and keep eyes on Lady Evelynn at *all* times. If she is not there, she is to be found as rapidly as possible."

Norrington points at his guards, in a you, you, you and you fashion, and without a word the selected men and women rush off with purpose.

"Furthermore," the aged dwarf continues, "All bounties against those present are hereby rescinded, and all charges are, for the moment, on hold. Delilah Valethor will, and must, remain in custody, until her appeal is before the court her conviction stands, as is legally required, but her execution is stayed until further notice. Donna Valethor, Elyanna von Diesel, Merek, and Ashes Ciaradh, you are hereby deputized and will assist Knight Captain Norrington in finding and apprehending the wizardess known as Veren."

With every moment the magistrate reads the book, Donna grows nearly as restless as the Captain, as hope and terror war for dominance in the back of her head. The *moment* he orders for Evelynn's protection, however, she sags visibly, her relief a near-tangible thing.

And then she's deputized. To assist *Captain Norrington.*

Well shit.

... *Oh shit.*

"Magistrate," she says, glancing down at the child behind her leg. "Um... We got us a witness that might need looking after? An'... mebbe a pocket pie or twenty?"

Ashlee waits patiently as Ironshield reads. She can't see the pages effectively, beyond catching that it has the same perfect penmanship page after page.

Chippen re-arranges himself, crawling down through her hair to switch from headband to necklace. She nods, no change in her expression, when he rescinds the bounty on them. This is a result she was after. Her thoughts wander, especially upon seeing Verna, to duties she might do now that she can get to the Temple.

And then, she is deputized. There's a widening of her eyes. Chippen tap-taps at her throat, startled by the sudden change. "Oh. Okay."

She's at a loss for further words.

Elyanna watches the Khazadi go through the tome at his pace, understanding, to some level, the care with which the man needs to walk through the situation.

She spares the Captain a glance, a spark of disappointment that the book proves Norrington to be merely an enthusiastic dupe, rather than a willing accomplice.

That he wouldn't be left to swing where the little birdies sing over this affair will be some point of conversation between the Valethor Gang she's certain.

Ah, well.

Her attention returns to the Magistrate as he sets things closer to right and she affords him a neat bow, "It is as you say, then, Magistrate. Thank you."

A pause, then, the former Keeper of Bludgun turns to Merek, asking, "Would it perhaps be possible to restore the Seer to his full agency?"

A pause, then, she looks back to the lawgiver, "We face a cunning necromancer of some experience, sir. To force Merek to face such a foe without his faculties unfettered risks us all."

Merek looks between everyone. He inclines his head a little when they are deputized. When Ashlee speaks, the man looks at her, then to the Magistrate. "That is a true enough thing," he admits. He thinks about the ramifications. "That said, I will be able to assist with taking the woman down."

"Merek will be restored to full agency at the earliest convenience," Ironshield confirms. "The purpose of the geas has been served, all who were considered fugitives have been returned to custody, and those who are not yet released will *not* be permitted to escape again."

Ironshield levels a serious gaze in Norrington's direction, which the Knight Captain endures, much like an oak tree covered in snow.

"The Knight Captain will be in charge of the effort to capture Veren, however I must stress -- and this is important -- she is to be captured alive, if at all possible. The Court is interested in her testimony, and it is of great concern to Miss Valethor's appeal, which may hinge upon it." The Magistrate considers, "Lady Evelynn's husband is to be found, as well. Place him under protection, the same as Lady Evelynn. Eyes are to be kept on him at all times. Now."

Ironshield turns his gaze towards Poppy, "Tell me about this witness."

And Donna starts to tell Magistrate Ironshield about this witness. And pauses.

Tries again.

Pauses.

It takes a glance to Norrington, the idea that he'll find this patently absurd, and her new assigned duty to push her past the block. "...So Poppy here's mom was... baaaasically... taken over by an illithid necromancer, Y'Honor. Th' one what trained Veren. Poppy's soul was kinda bound to the house like a servant, so she saw almost everything Veren an' her master did."

"...And yeah I know she don't look ghostly right now, but, best I can do in the middle of the street is 'weird adventurer shit.'"

"She was dead." Ashlee states, her words monotone. There is no glee in it, but one can almost imagine there would be for a Mourner. Score another one for the Grey Lady whose time has come. "an exception was made, she was brought back to get the life she never had."

She looks at Poppy, nods, "We promised her something nice to eat."

Food is life.

Seyardu squints, and sighs, even for her, this was strange and well outside of the range of what she normally did. "Well, it is good that you were able to do so by the sounds of it."

She offers a hand to the previously fugitive group. "My name is Seyardu, I have been in the city for some time, but the wanted posters were up when I arrived here. I am glad to see them rescinded, and hope they will be fully. If there is anything which can be done to help, that I am capable of providing, I will do so."

A single brow raises. "That is, an illithid? An actual one? I have only heard stories of them, and what they are capable of."

"I did not much care that she was all in my mind. With all that said, I know she probably won't find Peace on the wheel, but I'll pray for her all the same. Anyway, I'd believe that, it's all true. I know it's a lot to take in, though you know that Adventurers do kinda try to deal with a lot of things," Merek will admit and take the time to relax, "Thank you for the Geas thing being resolved when it can. For the time being, we should get to work. I am probably the most skilled here in surveillance, and I'll take care of that while you all discuss the matter if that's alright."

"One best left un named, so her song can fade into silence. Forgotten." Elyanna replies with juuuust a little too much veiled disdain to be considered 'detached'.

She affords the Magistrate another, deeper bow with another, "My thanks, Magistrate." before she rejoins her companions, and their new acquaintance, "I am Elyanna von Diesel, of Blar. It is nice to meet you."

She considers the offered hand a moment before clasping it, then nods toward young Poppy, "Our young charge has been denied a great many things. Perhaps... proper clothing, and a fine meal?"

Ironshield considers the book in his hands, before he snaps it shut, and offers it back to Elyanna. "I suggest," he begins, "That all of you and Knight Captain Norrington retire to the guardsroom in the Courthouse, so you may plan your strategy. You will want the use of the book for that, but it is under no circumstances to leave the courthouse. I recognize it's use in tracking down Veren, but it is also an essential piece of evidence that may have to be relied upon for Miss Valethor's appeal, if Veren's capture cannot be performed."

The Magistrate nods towards Poppy, "And you, young lady, will come with me. We will retire to my own home, where you can be cared for and guarded properly." He turns, and nods to the halfling scribe who, sometime in the last couple of minutes, has appeared at his side. 'The Mourner Ashes Cariadh is going to be preoccupied, but I would like the council of a priest of Vardama while I interview this woman. Please extend an invitation."

Ironshield nods once. "All of you have work to do. I suggest you begin at once."

Ashlee nods, glancing at Poppy and then the Magistrate, "I can recommend people."

There's one right there. Verna. She was there. Like many Mourners, she vanished when no one was looking at her. They aren't all ghosts, really. Her head turns away.

This is followed by a long glance at Norrington, another nod, then a random question, "Do we get badges?"

Chippen would like a badge.

"I agree, our return might get back to her." The ashen Arvec nods again, "let's find a room."

"I will admit, I do not know about clothing for non makari, let alone for children." The cleric sighs after shaking the offered hand. "But warm and fine meals, I can do. Another time though, as it seems the magistrate will be looking after them for the time being. The offer would go to the rest of you, if you need a meal. I understand you are dealing with serious matters, so I hope it will be alright. I can only imagine how hard it has been being hunted by the law for so long."

Nodding sharply, Donna turns and lowers herself into a crouch, touching the back of her hand to Poppy's cheek. "Hey, kiddo... We gotta get to work. I'm sorry we gotta go, but, Magistrate Ironshield's a good guy. Listen to what he says, an' we'll be back as soon as we can. You can trust him, just tell him the truth an' everything'll be okay."

Rising to her feet, she turns and finds Seyardu, cracking a smile. "Hey... Sorry 'bout the bad introduction, we're... kinda mid-stride. Good t'meetcha though Seyardu, an' if you're interested this whole mess is a hell of a story. I'll leave a message at the Soldier's Defense so's I can tell it to ya over lunch?"

The offer extended, the brawler looks to Norrington. "After you, Captain." No gloating, no reminders of her promise on the way out, not even a needling jab. Just stone-faced business.

<OOC> Merek says, "DEPUTY"
<OOC> Merek says, "MEREK"
<OOC> Verna takes as a sign to sleep, apologizes, noms, and slips out.