Velvet, Shadowstep, & Oracle

Oracle was moving slow by the time the trio reached the quiet waters of the moat. All of them were feeling the effects of the fight, with the young daughter of Tyrant and Velvet dealing with the worst of it. It would be a good week or two before her lungs would fully clear from the bruises, and longer yet before her ribs were no longer sore. But all three were lucky there were no broken bones, and with a bit of rest would recover.

After crossing the moat and slipping out of waters that were so inky dark on this cloudy, moonless night, Velvet shook and sat down beside Shadowstep and her daughter, where she took to grooming each of them. She knew come dawn, she would have to explain their injuries to Senka and Tersek, and could only hope that they saw her reasoning in it.

Tyrant

Tyrant had been up all night having found velvet and his daughter missing. When he saw them return he began moving to them. As he drew closer he noticed how injured his daughter was and this brought anger. "What have you done velvet?" He growled. Not scared to show his anger.

Meanwhile mael had already known what the three had done because he had over heard it. Yet the reason he was mad was because he had been left out. He glared hatefully toward his mother and toward his sister who he had been close with.

Velvet, Shadowstep, Oracle

Velvet ignored the big male's anger, sparing him a passing look before turning her salmon tongue against her paw as she continued to groom. "I took Shadow and Oracle on a scouting mission, and we ran into trouble." She answered simply, while drawing the paw against the top of her head, where horse teeth had broken the skin just past her forehead. After a few swipes she sat up, and now her eyes looked directly into Tyrant's, "The young need to be taught our ways, and not left to idle about in the Ruins while the pack grows weak. We've already lost Narimbi and Duality to some unknown threat, and I don't want that to happen to anyone else."

When Oracle caught the glare her brother gave her, she shot it right back at him, not realizing the source of his ire. Her long tail flipped against the ground once with a heavy thump before she turned and continued with her grooming.

Tyrant

He roaredloud at her. "If that were true you would of taken maelertech with you. But he knew exactly what you were doing cuz he heard you. Oracle get to the healers and your forbbiden from going anywhere with your mother. She carelessly through you in deaths way." he growled. His eyes going back to velvet. "Hope you realize by excluding our son youve made it seem you favor oracle." He growled before moving to force oracle away from velvet if she hadnt began moving.

Mael bared his teeth at his sister before turning his back and leaping up to his favorite resting spot that overlooked the whole of the ruins

Velvet, Shadowstep, & Oracle

Velvet rose, ceasing her cleaning. Though smaller than Tyrant, she stood fiercely before him, placing herself between the big male and their daughter.

Oracle froze, her muscles taut as she listened to her parents argue.

The elder lion laced her ears back flat against her skull, "This was a mission requiring stealth, which is why I chose our daughter and Shadow. Had the mission required strength and power, I'd have chosen Mael and Dutch. There is no favoritism going on, only strategy." Velvet's slanted eyes narrowed a little more, a look of warning glimmering in their dark depths, "Our daughter is an adult, one that we cannot coddle - she's a Haunter, and a fighter, and tonight she proved her strength." She cast a look up to Maelertech, who had now ascended to his perch above them. "As our stealth mission wasn't a complete success, Maelertech can aid in the follow-up assault. We need strength and intimidation for this one, and he and the Coalition members are perfect for that."

Tyrant

Tyrant was trying to remain calm but his eyes narrowed as he now moved to force himself between them with as much force as she made him. MB he said with a growl now. His ears were back. our daughter nearly died because of your foolish behaviorHe said. Your stealth mission was a complete failure and unnecessary. Let alone we have not decided to attack her or not and now if there might of been any sliver of chance of actually gaining an ally from her leaving us to join a horse herd is going to be impossible and we'll be lucky if they remain neutralHe said. You do not have the right to make these calls. You did not inform Senka or Terserk you claim you don't want to loose any young from our pack but you just nearly lost our daughter.he said. i am not the one that is claiming you favoritism. He growled. You'll be lucky if Mael even talks to you or even Oracle because of your behaviorhe said. IF Oracle hadn't move he moved to push her toward the healing den. oh and Velvet I have already told Senka of your choice and she is not happyHe said.

Mael was listening and he snorted. follow up? No that is your clean up you go do it the coalition doesn't do your clean upshe growled. I will find a herd or pack to go on a stealth mission toHe said.

Velvet, Shadowstep, Oracle

"The strategy was stealth." Velvet maintained, holding her ground until Tyrant's greater bulk eventually forced her to stumble aside. She refrained from lashing out at him though, retaining control of her anger as she strove to defend her actions. "The lionesses are superb for such things, while you males are better suited for Coalition work with your heavy manes and intimidation factor. This has nothing to do with favoritism, you know that. Shadow and Oracle did excellent at it, might I add - our problem came in confronting the two stallions; they did not flee as most would under such circumstances, and that's where my judgement was wrong. They worked surprisingly well together in their defenses, and I made the decision for a tactical retreat. But the long overdue message was delivered - defecting from the Haunters has consequences."

Oracle now sprung away from her father with a low growl, not wishing to be caught between their argument, or the anger of her brother. The liger flashed her fangs, first looking to Maelertech, "I don't know why you're mad at me, you're making a mountain out of a mole hill, brother. Stay up there and pout all you want, maybe Teresk can take your place in the fight." The latter was dripping in sarcasm, as the elder wolfdog was well past his prime, and in no way a replacement for a big cat. But Oracle was hurt, and in her anger she lashed out with words, now directed at her father, "We don't ally with traitors, father. And I handled myself out there - if I don't go out on these missions, I'll never learn how to hone my skills if war breaks out."

Clearing her throat, a calmer voice broke through the heated words. Shadowstep spoke up, "I think a visit by Quilikahm would be good for you, Oracle." Though injured herself, Shadow hadn't taken quite the beating that the other cat had. To Tyrant and Velvet, she spoke simply, "And Maelertech has a good suggestion; while we're delivering consequences to ex-Haunters, are there any other packs or herds we should pay a visit to? Ori and I got our training in, it's time for Mael and the others... after, perhaps, it's discussed with Senka and Tersek."

Tyrant

He snorted. "Wrong, stallions do not abandon there mares. They will defend them till the end" he growled. He looked to oracle. "I never said you cant this one though was only a good lesson for what not to do." He growled. "I have a different traitor definition then you. A traitor is one who joins our enemies" he said calmly. "However it wasnt your mothers choice to decide what cloud is" he said

Mael stood up now. "I am not waiting. We go now mother comes and one other. And like this one we will fight. Im not going for diplomacy" he said leaping down. He glares at his sister. "Go tend to your failure wounds" he growled in his own anger. "If mom didnt seek permission for this one then there is no need for it for this one" he said.

Velvet, Shadowstep, Oracle

Oracle felt her tail lash behind her, her pain souring her mood more than it should have. "She abandoned us, that's good enough reason to be labeled a traitor. We don't show mercy to our enemies, even stupid horses like Cloud. She-"

Velvet cut in before her daughter could go on, seeing that her emotions were running ahead of her thinking, "Enough, Oracle." In an effort to bridge the divide that gaped before them, the old lioness nodded to Tyrant, "Regardless of feelings over the mission, you do need to see a healer. Listen to your father and Shadow, and go see Quilikahm. As for Maelertech-" She lifted her dial, looking up at her son perched above them. A curious look came to her dark eyes, "It's good to see this ambition in you, Mael. Who else do you propose we take? Leomar, or Dutch perhaps? We've wounded Cloudbreaker, and both the males have decent injury as well - but it'll take force to fully put the zorse down."

Tyrant

Tyrant did not speak again and he knew it would be hard pressed to stop mael from doing something. "It will be the three of us"

Mael let his father speak. " no i want healthy opponents. If they are injured then they are not who to go visit again. Im not interested in being clean up after that failure" he said. "We go after a different group with just as strong opponent" he said.

Velvet, Shadowstep, & Oracle

"You mean to include your father?" Velvet questioned, to make sure she understood who Maelertech wanted to bring with on this mission. "We are both growing older, but we also have wisdom where our strength is no longer prime." Her defensive anger beginning to cool, the lioness weaved her words more carefully, still trying to divert a potential crisis and make the best of the situation. Focusing on her son, she nodded approvingly, "A good choice, as we both have a decent repertoire or our allies and enemies around the Valley, and experience in battle."

When Tyrant spoke up though, Velvet was a little thrown off by his suggestion, but not altogether disapproving. Intrigued by his input, she followed with a question, "What opponents do you suggest then? The Aspen Grove would be our most obvious bet, they've always been a thorn in Cavan's paw. Or do you have another group in mind?"

Maelertech

Maelertech didn't care if his mother could go on the previous failur then she could go on this and Tyrant was still healthy. I don't want wolves they be too easy, They have to be equal to the strength of horses mother. He knew some of the packs and from what he heard Aspen grove was all wolves. He refused to fight any thing that was smaller then a horse.

Tyrant did not really know who they could go after atleast that would make Mael happy. Makucha was too much for the three of them. Cloud was oout of the question for more then the fact they were injured. that gives us few places to go thenHe said.

Velvet, Shadowstep, & Oracle

"A single wolf, yes - but a pack is nothing to be trifled with." Velvet pointed out, "Even a small pack of wolves can easily outnumber two or three of us, if we aren't careful in our tactics. That's partly why the Aspen Grove still stands." That, and a lot of the Haunters still believed that Imre herself had stepped in to spare the wolves. Even Velvet wasn't completely sure how she felt about it.

The lioness looked to Tyrant again, her tail now hanging idle as her blood continued to cool, "True, there aren't many large packs in the Valley, and the Makucha are too dangerous to take on without the full support of our pack." Her mind had gone to the same place there, and she readily agreed that taking on their newest enemies was a bad idea. "There are the Lurkers if we want to take out potential future problems; I've heard the Silver Glades from time to time in the north, though I don't know how large or small that pack is." Her dark, slanted eyes worked back to Maelertech, "It's possible the Golden Rose Canyon has horses again, and it would be nice to reclaim that land and its food source for ourselves once more." Her gaze turned a little more critical on her son, "If you want to do this though, it will be your call. I will give you advice as needed, but you need to decide on who you think we can defeat, and if it is in the best interest of the Haunters."

Maelertech

Maelertech snorted.Still not a challenging as horsesHe said and he listened.It wasn't necessarily in the best interest to haunters that you went and attacked cloud. But as it is I want the best interest for the Haunters. So we go to this canyon place if its got horses or something as strong then that where we attackHe said.

Tyrant was quiet and calm for the time being.

Velvet, Shadowstep, & Oracle

Velvet paused, considering her son's hot words, and then answered him with no heat in her own voice, "You are young yet, Maelertech. With age and experience, you'll understand why my actions tonight were for the betterment of the Haunters. But that discussion can be for another time." Sore as she was, Velvet took a step towards the pillar where her child sat, holding back any desire to limp or show weakness as she looked up at him. "As this is your own mission, you make the call on how we approach it. Do we scout first, ambush, or run straight in? Your father and I will follow your lead."

Oracle, who'd stubbornly refused to listen to any of the others, sat and sulked in the shadows as she listened. Her eyes were narrowed as they darted from parent to parent, and to brother. Resentment began to bubble, and with a final huff, she hauled herself up and stalked away.

Watching all of this play out, Shadowstep quietly slunk past Velvet and the pillar where Mael sat, and approached Tyrant. In a low, whispered voice, the liger questioned him, "I don't mean to interfere, but do you want me to alert Senka or Tersek of the mission, or send any scouts ahead?" She personally wanted to join in, but Mael was determined that only he and his parents attend, and she didn't want to step on any toes.

Mael

Mael snorted.Maybe if i was there maybe then I wouldn't say things. But as far as im concerned Oracle has not proven herself yet only proved how to nearly get herself killed. He said also making it clear that it was unfair that Oracle got the first go of proving herself. He said it only loud enough that those close would hear. In his eyes his sister made a stupid move engaging a horse that she most likely knew was stronger then her. To him this mission would be the first true proving of things for the siblings. HEd of let his sister come but he knew she was perfectly unable to and unlike his mother, his families safety came first.. we do it the exact same way you did the failure except we do not failHe said. HE still could not see her reasoning for attacking Cloud without knowing if Cloud planned on turning on them fully as in attacking them. He too believed making less enemies and even if not allies keeping neutrality with cloud would of been in the betterment of the haunters in his eyes..

Tyrant was listening one ear going to shadowstep.Normally I would but, they will probably stop this or send more and Mael.... he will do some rash if we do not do this. He is still mad that velvet would say that Oracle has proven herself before Mael has proven himself. He said quietly.

Velvet, Shadowstep, & Oracle

"I understand you feel upset that I took her first, but don't let that pride and anger cloud your thoughts." Velvet remarked with a brow inched upwards, and a note of caution in her words, "Above all else, we are a Family and we work together, not against one another. Everyone has their moment to shine, and their time to hone their best skills. You and your large size, with your growing mane, its..." The lioness tilted her head, trying to gently get her opinion across to her son, "...you may not be as well suited for stealth like the females. I would argue that strength and intimidation would be your greater qualities, but if you want to go for an ambush, I will follow you." She stepped away from his perch now, turning towards the lapping waters of the moat, ready to depart for a second time.

Shadowstep sighed quietly, but gave Tyrant a confirming nod. She would not interfere in this second round of attacks, even if her blood was still up and she wouldn't mind tagging along for another taste of equine flesh. "Good luck to you three then, and watch those hooves."

Maelertech

He began to growl a gain.I DON't care about my size. IT was unfair of you to take her and not me unfair.. She did not proof herself yet in my eyes. No this is the first instance of prooving anything. If you hadn't been foolish maybe she could come to proof herself but no you mother were foolishHe growled now. Stealth my ass mother, that was failed attempt at something you were either dumb to the knowledge of horses or you knew it would fail. He growled getting riled up once more.Then we run face first in to what ever we find. But your failure is to not be spread as ORacle proving herselfHe growled.

Tyrant nodded to shadow before looking to the two.Enough, Oracle prooving herself isn't going to be spread and if your mother is lucky enough that trip will not be known anyways. Nor will this oneHe said calmly yet firmly.

Velvet, Shadowstep, & Oracle

A deeply drawn breath helped Velvet to maintain her composure in the face of Maelertech's continued ire. She expelled it quietly, while watching her son with scarcely blinking eyes, "Proving herself had more to do with showing her skill and desire for action rather than the outcome of the mission. I took her first only because the opportunity presented itself; had one for brute strength arisen, I'd have taken you first, Mael." She let her son's insults roll off her back, tolerating them in the moment for the sake of not escalating his anger. "Mind your tongue now, and put your words to action. Whether or not you kill whatever foe we face tonight, I am sure you too will prove yourself."

Velvet shifted on her front paws to turn her head back at Tyrant, giving him a curious look when he mentioned keeping these two assaults a secret. Dark eyes glanced past him and to the shadows that wholly engulfed the area, wondering if any other Haunters were laying awake, hearing their spat. If there were, she didn't see any - and at the very least, didn't see Senka or Tersek, who would have shown up in a heartbeat if they heard the squabbling. With little more than a quiet smile, the lioness turned back to the moat, her tail flicking once behind her, "Come Maelertech, lead the way."

Mael

His mother was making things worse. "That wa one for strength even i knew it would be. She proved one thing today and that was the choice to go along with your stupidety. You should of confided in me about your mission. If i had been there then maybe it would of been a success. No she didnt proof herself. She could proof it now if you hadnt gotten her nearly killed" he snarled. "Its not proof myself too this is the first mission. This is the first real prooving for either of us. If she well enough she can join us so we both proif ourselves together butshe proofed nothing yet" he growled. "How ami to lead when i know not where to go" he snorted

Tyrant growled at both of them.

Velvet, Shadowstep, & Oracle

"For strength? Were you there at the hunt, Maelertech?" Velvet stopped and turned herself fully around, looking her son square in the eyes. She'd been willing to put aside his ranting, but his insults were now crossing a line that she wasn't willing to overlook, even coming from her own son. "You are spewing an awful lot of assumptions, and act as if you know better than everyone else how to do our own jobs." Those dark, slanted eyes of hers shifted, narrowing a smidgen as she sat her tawny rump to the ground, "Your ego is far too large, my son. You're so quick to label me and your sister a fool and failure, while you yourself want to run blindly into an enemy you know nothing about, or even where they live, because you're upset she went on a mission before you. I was more than willing to help you, but if you continue to show this level of disrespect and arrogance, you will not have my assistance."

Maelertech

His anger just grew and grew as his mother went on. He waited until she was done with her own spewing.I get like this because I am your son and his son. I may not know the target you had chosen but I know horses and you were a fool to think you and just those two could kill them at their full strength without knowing their strength you talk about me blindly running in but what did you do? And what did you do that nearly got Oracle killed? Don't help me I don't care I don't need your approval, I have nothing to proof to you. Don't take me I will tell Senka what you have done and then guess what will happen? You will carry no weight in the haunters any more mother. I never said I knew better on how to do everyones job and I never will. I just knew you were walking to either failure or one of your deaths. Thankfully for ORacle and Shadow you failed. Oracle isn't a failure like you she just went blindly with you without thinking. if my ego is so high so isn't hers for not thinking your mission through. He was a bit calmer as he said this now. But to him Oracle proofed nothing. It was nothing to be proud of in his eyes. you should of thought your mission through and consulted more then Shadow and Oracle period the endHe said.

Tyrant was really growing pissed at both of them. Enough! Both of you. Velvet you know Mael is right he will tell Senka and you know full well my mother came back here because you convinced myself and her that you could change. You went against her and TerserkHe said then turn to Mael.you need to calm down if we are to do this going in to a fight in this anger will not help you or usHe said.

Velvet, Shadowstep, & Oracle

"I've lived in this Valley for fourteen years, and have enough experience to know how to handle a horse." Her tone was controlled and even as she lectured him, still striving to make this a teaching moment rather than an argument. "Oracle was not nearly killed, only injured. And we don't succeed on every mission we go on, just as we don't succeed on every hunt - you do not berate our hunters when they fail to return home with a meal, so you will not berate me or the lionesses on this venture. I spent weeks surveying the herd and weighing my options, and the horses simply proved too well organized and did not spook as most horses do when we sprung the ambush. We could have killed our target, but I made the call to retreat, precisely because I value the health of Oracle and Shadowstep. Shadow and your sister gained valuable experience, and whether you believe that or not is your own opinion."

Velvet remained planted on her haunches, refusing to let Maelertech's threats move her. An ear swiveled towards Tyrant, though she didn't turn her gaze away from Maelertech, "I went against no ones' back. Death is the punishment for those that defect from us, and besides that, she is no more than prey to us now. Her meat would have filled many bellies." Still focused on her son, Velvet allowed her tensed muscles to relax, and again withheld a grunt of pain for the bruises that were still swelling beneath her velvety coat. "Once you prove to me that you can control your anger and listen respectfully to the advice of an Elder, I will escort you on a mission. Until then, your behavior tonight has proven to me that you aren't ready."

Tyrant

Maelertech was not happy with his mother.learned what not to do. Even I would of known to still take strength on that run even if they fled you would of still need brawn.He growled shaking his head. Don't go Ill tell senka thenHe growled. He glared.I am sorry father you are right. He said to his father no longer acknowledging his mother. He had nothing to proof to his mother. Shall we take Shadowstep with us instead father? Shadow seems much more capable of these things. Maybe Oracle too if she feels up to it. Oracle made a mistake but im sure she learned from it. he said.

Tyrant snorted.you do not go on missions like that without senka and terserks consent everyone knows this velvet even if cloud punishment be death you stepped out of line.He said calmly yet firmly. He had thought he loved Velvet but her actions of late made him believe that she hadn't changed. IF that is what you wish Mael we shall ask Shadow if she wishs to come and we shall see how Oracle isHe said calmly.

Velvet, Shadowstep, & Oracle

"Three lions could have easily taken on a fleeing zorse." Velvet countered rationally, defending her tactics, "That's what the ambush was designed for, but when the horses didn't behave as they normally do, and couldn't be forced into fleeing, I called the assault off. It was a well calculated attack, and a calculated retreat." She narrowed her eyes a little, not in anger, but accusation, "Why do you press so hard to make me out as a fool, Maelertech? I only want what is best for you and the Haunters. If you're upset that I didn't take you first, I am truly sorry about that - I didn't realize it would be such an issue."

The old lioness finally did turn her head to look at Tyrant, that accusatory look now lighting up on him, "I don't understand why you are so hard on this either, Tyrant - I'm trying to teach our children basic tactics, and you act as if I'm the one committing treason, and showing favoritism. The fact of the matter is, our pack has grown stagnant, and we're no where near the height we were in our early years - we need to train our children, show them how to fight, and show the Valley that we are still to be feared and respected." The lioness grunted as she shifted her weight, still not standing, but moving to better face Tyrant and her son. "Shadow and Oracle need to rest, taking them out now would be the foolish move. We have other Haunters that could fill their roles."

Mael

No he wasnt trying to make her out as a fool. Just that she made a mistake in her old age. "Even they fled the stallions would fight in the end to protect thier mares and foals" he said. "I am mad it was wrong. " he said. "Then the three of us go. This is the first true mission and oracle didnt proof herself first. " now if the others found out about it they can say the two missions happened at the same time. But he wasnt about to let it be known oracle proofed herself first

Tyrant huffed. He just shook his head. " if we are going without permission we must go now. Or we tell senka about this mission but not the last one and make this official"

Velvet, Shadowstep, & Oracle

"Your anger is misplaced, son." Said Velvet quietly, but decided against arguing further. Her son was bullheaded like his father, and she was wise enough to know that no amount of explaining would shift his perception. So instead she focused again on his desire to prove himself, and while she did remain seated, her calculating eyes softened a little, "If you want me to go, be prepared to listen to my advice. We don't know what we are getting into, and that's not my style. If we encounter a threat that I feel is too big to handle, or if we discover they have allies that might endanger the Haunters, you must obey my command to retreat. Same goes for listening to your father."

The lioness stood, her movements a little stiff. Two branching rivulets of blood had made their way down the bridge of her nose, and she flashed a tongue out to clear the few drops that had stained her whiskers. The old cat was not particularly keen on going back out again, but she also didn't want to miss a teachable moment with her child, and figured the stubborn impulses of Maelertech would take both parents to properly train. "Both missions can be explained to our Leaders, and hopefully this second one will provide us with meat. That will help to quell any anger they might have. Hopefully."

Tyrant

Tyrant snorted.the first one will get you in trouble and potentially our daughter. And I do not want to see either of you in trouble and before you say I can help with explaining the first I will not as I didn't agree with that one nor would I have agreed if it had been executed properly. We will always have different views on things Velvet and you know my mother and Terserk also have different views. Even if they do agree with labeling Cloud a traitor and desire her death how you executed it without their knowledge will bring too big of punishment for the three of you that went and as I care for all three of you I don't want to see that happen. As for this one if we go now without speaking it to them then it too will be held back from telling for the same reasonshe said calmly.

Mael had no intentions of coming back to the ruins without having had a good fight. So if they had to retreat from this he would not return till he found some healthy equines or perhaps big cats to fight. he was silent as his parents talked now.

Velvet, Shadowstep, & Oracle

"I'm beginning to take offense on your insistence that an experienced tactician and hunter like myself made some huge mistake." Velvet said through an even but heavy breath. She was moving towards the moat now, heading in the direction of the distant Golden Valley. "Neither of you were there to see how it went down, or how perfectly Oracle and Shadowstep preformed. Success or not, they worked together very well and I'm proud of their efforts. If I were Oracle, I would be sincerely hurt by how both of you treated her tonight, like some sort of failure." Her emotions bristled a little there, without ever rising into a growl or leading to flattened ears.

"Now..." The lion slipped into the waters and began to paddle across, "...as for lying to our Leaders, I'm not sure that's an offense they'd be happy about either?" She side-glanced to Tyrant as she swam, curious for his answer. Velvet had always had a sly mind and a honeyed tongue when needed, but wasn't sure if she could fully trust Tyrant to keep his word about this matter.

Tyrant

He huffed. "The only mistake you really made was not telling senka and terserk and getting their approval." He said as he followed. "We arent exactly lying. We just arent telling everything." He said calmly

Mael snorted. "It should of been oracle and i together. She would of done alot better with me by her side because we work better together." He hadnt meant to be angry with his sister atleast not entirely. "If these missions get out they are to be known to happen at the same time" maybe not exact but as if they all went on both together.

Velvet, Shadowstep, & Oracle

The lioness withheld a smile, and kept her facade calm and patient as she climbed the opposite end of the moat and shook off. She waited for the other two to finish crossing before trailing beside Tyrant, and falling a step or two behind so that he could take the lead towards the Golden Rose Canyon. "Perhaps, that as much I can concede to." Velvet admitted at last, finally taking some blame upon herself for a mission she knew should have been sanctioned.

As the continued to travel into the night, leaving the Temple behind them, Velvet's words sounded in the thick darkness of the lightless night, "After this mission, and after you've both had time to rest and recover, I would like to find a mission for both of you to work together. You both have tremendous promise, and I'd like to see it realized."