Operation story: RS-3

Operation

Story

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Characters
Harold Degenbrecher Leto Enciodes Kjarr Enya "Trilby Asher" Sciurus Yucatan Ratatos Elder Devotee Columbian Magnate Local Vendor Competing Vendor Shopkeeper Surprised Tourist Excited Tourist Burly Tschäggättä Pumped-Up Tschäggättä
Backgrounds
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Before operation

“

The misunderstanding is resolved, but Trilby Asher sets his sights on Leto. SilverAsh learns about this from Degenbrecher and decides to ride along.

”

<Background 1>
[The train bell chimes.]
Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived at our terminus— Lake Silberneherze Station. Located in the center of a basin, clear and scenic Lake Silberneherze is one of the gems of Kjerag. Legends say that it is the first tear shed by Kjeragandr. In winter, one can walk on the frozen surface and see into the depths of the lake. The newly-built statue of Kjeragandr stands on an island in the middle of the lake, watching over Kjerag and her people.
<Background fades out>
Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived...
[People begin to board off the train.]
Harold	......
"Trilby Asher"	......
Degenbrecher	......
Harold	So... it's all a misunderstanding? No secrets, no assassinations, no VIP on the train, no nothing?
Degenbrecher	If there's any VIP that got me on this train, it was you. Viscount Harold Craigavon, the renowned burdenbeast veterinarian who has become a household name amongst the pastoralists.
Harold	Ahem. I'm honored.
"Trilby Asher"	I beg your pardon, Madam Degenbrecher. It was hard not to make certain inferences from the blood on your gloves.
Degenbrecher	Blood? Should I explain? I guess I could tell you, if you really want to know.
"Trilby Asher"	I do. Please.
Degenbrecher	Lily's birthing wasn't easy. It was premature. She bled a lot, and I had my hands full.
Harold	What?! Premature...? She bled? That's no laughing matter. How is my girl?
Degenbrecher	I performed first aid, but she needs a professional follow-up. Leones says he trusts you the most, Craigavon. It's up to you now.
Harold	I'll be there in two shakes of a beast's tail!
"Trilby Asher"	......
Degenbrecher	You look disappointed. Were you expecting something else? Fine enough by me. I could live up to those expectations.
"Trilby Asher"	There's no need for that.
Degenbrecher	So, what's the misunderstanding?
Harold	Ah, well... Lake Silberneherze is a nice place, isn't it? Particularly on a sunny, clear day like this, when even the air smells particularly fresh...
Degenbrecher	Do Victorians always talk about the weather when they're trying to change the subject? I must have heard this a few thousand times by now.
Harold	Forgive me. We learn from a young age to use Victoria's awful weather as a conversation starter.
"Trilby Asher"	Kindly refrain from besmirching the good name of Victoria, My Lord.
<Background 2>
Leto	Hey– Why are you guys still standing around chatting? Is our little misunderstanding all cleared up now?
Harold	Of course, of course. Nothing would have happened, if not for some alarmists amongst us.
"Trilby Asher"	......
Leto	Whatever, as long as it's all cleared up now. Running up and down a train was fun, but I've had enough of eating dust under a table. I went ahead and had a look. A tour guide gave me two maps! Lake Silberneherze is just down the street from here. Should we go now?
Harold	Well... dreadfully sorry, Rosalind, but I'm afraid I won't be able to keep my promise. There's a lady who needs me at her side, right now.
Leto	Lily is a burdenbeast, right? Not some Victorian noble codeword?
Harold	Perish the thought!
Leto	Fine, fine. Go see to your "Lily". I can take care of myself here.
Harold	Rosalind...
Leto	Wh-What's that look on your face?
Harold	You're such a kind, thoughtful girl!
[Harold wipes his tears before smiling.]
Harold	Come, let's exchange contact information.
[The two exchange numbers.]
Harold	You must find me, should you ever need anything. I am ever at your service. And I'll keep an eye out for your father... handsome Kjerag fellow, you said?
Leto	Thanks for that, dedushka. Alright, you guys get back to your chat, I'm gonna get going.
[Leto leaves.]
Harold	Such a lovely young lady, so strong and cheerful even after losing her mother...
Degenbrecher	...A handsome Kjerag fellow?
Harold	Oh, you heard? Rosalind came to Kjerag to find her long-lost father. It's a touching story. I hope her efforts bear fruit.
Degenbrecher	Her father...? Is that what she said?
Harold	Well, now that our misunderstanding has been resolved... Madam Degenbrecher, I'm a huge fan of your work. Could I perhaps beg your autogr—
Degenbrecher	No time. I'm leaving. Take care of Lily.
[Degenbrecher strides away.]
Harold	wait, Madam Degenbrecher! Ach— She's gone.
"Trilby Asher"	The Black Knight does not seem to take much pride in glories past. Small wonder, considering the manner in which she was exiled from Kazimierz...
Harold	Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot you were still here.
"Trilby Asher"	I didn't want to inadvertently offend the Black Knight.
Harold	Glad to know you're so self-aware.
"Trilby Asher"	It was my mistake. I should have been more careful with my words. But do you really believe Madam Degenbrecher's reasoning?
Harold	......
"Trilby Asher"	The Black Knight has ever been Silverash's loyal lieutenant, from the moment she left Kazimierz and followed him to Kjerag. She has been in the mountains lately, training a new unit of troops for Karlan Trade. We also have reports of unusual goods moving in and out of Kjerag, involving materials of a sensitive nature.
Harold	Your point...?
"Trilby Asher"	All conjecture at this time. But you have your suspicions too, don't you? That's why you kept the young Rosalind's contact.
Harold	Looks like your time in Victoria has instilled in you a pathological mistrust of others. What a shame.
"Trilby Asher"	That is my profession, after all. I will report today's events to the Duke, exactly as they happened.
Harold	Wait...!
"Trilby Asher"	Allow me to remind you once more, My Lord. You have a duty you are obligated to carry out. Do not fail Her Grace. This is not a sightseeing trip.
<Background 3>
[Meanwhile, Enciodes is having a call with a Columbian investor.]
Enciodes	Have you given Karlan Trade's proposal some thought, Mr. Taylor? I understand Matterhorn has taken you to see our mines and factories. Are you satisfied with what you've seen from Kjerag and Karlan Trade?
Columbian Magnate	I have no complaints about your company, Mr. Silverash. But you're a businessman too. I'm sure you understand. I would have few reasons to harbor any doubts, if it was Karlan Trade I was dealing with. But if I'm to deal with the government of Kjerag, which we know little about... I do feel that more due diligence is in order when it comes to a project of this size.
Enciodes	Of course.
Columbian Magnate	I saw Victorian soldiers on the streets a few days ago. There's no conflict brewing between Kjerag and Victoria... is there?
Enciodes	I assure you that no harm will come to you in Kjerag. Take your time, Mr. Taylor. Kjerag won't disappoint you.
Columbian Magnate	Excellent! I look forward to a fruitful partnership, Mr. Silverash.
[The transmission ends.]
Enciodes	You will continue to serve as Mr. Taylor's guide tomorrow, Matterhorn. Attend to any need he has, within reason.
Matterhorn	Yes, sir. But... are we really going to work with him?
Enciodes	You don't think he'd be a good partner?
Matterhorn	It's not my place to judge. However, he has found various excuses to put off signing the contract while here in Kjerag, and went back on his word more than once on profit sharing. I fear...
Enciodes	Indeed, he is a shrewd merchant. Kjerag has no choice but to work with shrewd merchants at present, while these same shrewd merchants have their pick of options. My job is to make Kjerag their only choice.
Matterhorn	Sir...
[Enciodes's transceiver buzzes.]
Enciodes	Go and check on Degenbrecher's recruits. Have them escort Mr. Taylor.
Matterhorn	Yes, sir.
[Matterhorn leaves the room as Enciodes answers the call.]
Degenbrecher	Enciodes?
Enciodes	Yes. Look at that, you're using a communicator. I thought you didn't like these long-range methods.
Degenbrecher	I just don't like to be contacted. There's something you should know, Enciodes. I ran into a girl from Rhodes Island on the train to Lake Silberneherze. Did you enter into a new partnership with them?
<Background 4>
Local Vendor	Kjerag snow cheese, burdenbeast accessories, Saintess portraits! All Kjerag specialties, get them here!
Competing Vendor	Burdenbeast blind boxes! Limited edition! While supplies last!
Leto	It's so lively here. What are they selling? Portraits of the Saintess? That's not what Pramanix looks like...
Local Vendor	Now, now, girly, the Saintess personally approved this portrait! It's the real deal!
Leto	Right, whatever you say. I'll have some snow cheese, then. Is that the most popular treat? I might've had some when I was little.
Local Vendor	You're a local?
Leto	You could say that.
Local Vendor	Should've said so. Don't buy the snow cheese.
Leto	Huh?
Local Vendor	That's for tourists. We don't buy that stuff. This shaved cheese is much cheaper and tastes pretty much the same.
Leto	Wait, aren't you just ripping off tourists then?
Local Vendor	Hey, don't put it like that! Look at the packaging on this snow cheese. See how nice it is? That's what the tourists want. Something nice and classy-looking. All I'm doing is making a few francs off the packaging. It's not like I'm selling inferior stuff. The cheese itself is first-rate!
Leto	I guess you have a point. I'll have the shaved cheese, then. Can I ask you something else, too? Is there a man in Kjerag that everyone agrees is the handsomest?
Local Vendor	The handsomest man, huh? Well... I'm a Paleroche, but I'm not gonna lie. Sir Enciodes has got to be the handsomest fellow in Kjerag.
Leto	Enciodes... Wait, SilverAsh?!
Local Vendor	Yeah, the patriarch of Clan Silverash.
Leto	No, no way... it can't be... How about another guy? Anybody else?
Local Vendor	Er, well... um...
Leto	Never mind, just a random thought. Forget I asked. How about something else...? That mountain by the shore of Lake Silberneherze? Does it have a name or something?
Local Vendor	Oh, that's Mount Fugen! It's a famous for its romantic atmosphere. Lots of young couples go there.
Leto	Young couples...?
Local Vendor	They say any couple that watches the sunrise there will stay together forever. What's that old saying again? "Kjerag's love is like the unmelting ice." Humbug, if you ask me. But lots of tourists go there. They hang the golden lock of love or something... oh, now that I think of it. Sir Arctosz likes to go there to hunt, and he's none too happy about all the tourists who get in his way.
Leto	Hm... Alright. Here's the money for the cheese.
Local Vendor	Thank you. Come again!
<Background 5>
Leto	So this is the Lake Silberneherze that Mamochka always talked about... And that's Mount Fugen. Not a bad view, but Ursus has icy lakes just like it. Oh, the ice goes pretty deep. Is that the statue of Kjeragandr? Can't see the face. Wow, it's big alright. Wonder how much stone they used to build it.
???	Stone? Our Kjeragandr statue wouldn't settle for stone!
Leto	Huh?
[Sciurus Browntail approaches Leto.]
Sciurus	Gotta hand it to you: You've got good taste. This is the best spot to admire Kjeragandr's statue.
Leto	Er... who might you be?
Sciurus	I'm—A-Ahem! That's not important. What's important is what you just said! Kjeragandr's statue isn't made from any old stone. We used the finest materials to express our love for Her!
Leto	The finest, huh? Like, what?
Sciurus	Like I said, the finest— —Ow!
Leto	What? Did you bite your tongue!
Sciurus	It's a secret, of course! Can't just go around blabbering to tourists. I can't tell you the details, but anyway... just know that it's really amazing!
Leto	You almost let it slip.
Sciurus	Just almost.
Leto	Fine, fine, you didn't say anything. Well, enjoy the view. I gotta get going.
Sciurus	Oh, hey, wait up!
Leto	What is it this time?
Sciurus	You... Hey, you're a tourist, right? Kjeragandr's statue's getting officially unveiled right here the day after tomorrow, in the morning. If you're still in Kjerag, you won't wanna miss it!
Leto	Now you're just talking to yourself. Who knows what's gonna happen in two days? Makes no difference looking at it today.
Sciurus	Of course it makes a difference! The Saintess is officiating the ceremony herself! You might even get to see Kjeragandr in spirit! You... say, what's your name?
Leto	Rosalind.
Sciurus	Full name.
Leto	Ty nevynosima... (Ursine) Rosalind Tatyanovna Larina.
Sciurus	Alright, Rosalind, I'll make this official! I, Sciurus Browntail, formally invite Rosalind Tatyanovna Larina to attend the unveiling ceremony for Kjeragandr's statue that takes place in two day's time! Then you'll know that this Kjeragandr is special. There's no other like Her.
Leto	You sure are confident. Well, I guess I'll look forward to it.
[Leto walks off.]
Sciurus	Wait, I haven't given you the invitation letter yet! Why are you in such a hurry, anyway?
<Background fades out and in>
"Trilby Asher"	Sciurus, younger sister of the Browntail Matriarch. Frequently visits other countries on behalf of Kjerag, in recent years. Did she arrange for Rosalind to be here? I should find a way to eavesdrop...
Shopkeeper	Sir, you've been standing in front of my stall holding that newspaper of yours for five minutes. I need you to buy something, or move out of the way.
"Trilby Asher"	Oh, pardon me. One burdenbeast milk tea au lait, please.
<Background fades out and in>
Sciurus	...... Alright, I guess that takes care of that bitch Ratatos's job. Makes no sense... why do I have to keep an eye on a some kid? Even talk to her, no less? Gotta say, though, the girl looks slightly familiar...
Yucatan	Rus? Are you sure you don't need my help?
Sciurus	Yucatan! Leave it to me. I got this. Let's go. I want Ratatos to tell me what the deal is with that Rosalind girl!

After operation

“

Leto visits the island that the Kjeragandr statue is on and encounters an old devotee, who recognizes Leto and invites her to visit Clan Paleroche.

”

<Background black>
Come, Rosalind, let's learn how to pray to Kjeragandr. Close your eyes, put your hands before your chest, and call out Kjeragandr's name silently in your heart... Good job, Rosalind. You're Mama and Papa's sweetheart, Rosalind. Mama could never regret giving birth to you, no matter what people might say. May Kjeragandr bless...
<Background 6>
Leto	The Kjeragandr looks even bigger up close. So that's what She looks like. Hm... Pray... to Kjeragandr... What did Mamochka teach me again? No, I can't remember. I mean, it all happened before I was three. I guess I should start praying— Close my eyes... what do I do with my hands again?
???	Stretch your right palm out flat and place it before your chest.
[An old man approaches Leto.]
Elder Devotee	In Kjeragandr's presence, we close our eyes that do not truly see, and bow our overly proud heads. Drive stray thoughts from our minds, and recite Kjeragandr's name in our hearts. Come, child, after me.
Leto	Okay!
Leto closes her eyes again. Her vision goes dark, but her senses seem to vastly expand in an instant. Behind her, the old devotee begins to praise Kjeragandr's name in his raspy voice. Kjeragandr, grant us springs that quench our thirst, and fruit that sates our hunger. Kjeragandr, grant us ice and snow that freeze Catastrophe. Kind and gentle Kjeragandr, watch over us and Kjerag. The sensation of wind brushing past her cheeks seems to grow with the chanting, the snowy wind roaring in her ear. A sense of familiarity, rising from a place that Leto does not know, takes her down memory lane.
Leto	(Kjeragandr...) (I'm not your follower, and I don't need your blessing.) (But if you really do protect your believers, please, protect Mamochka.) (I wouldn't have come if she didn't ask me to.) ...... Hm, no, that's not good enough.
Elder Devotee	What?
Leto	Kjeragandr! Kjeragandr—! Please, protect my mother! She's a devout follower of yours! She told me how great Kjerag is! I'll see how great it is for myself!
<Background fades out and in>
Surprised Tourist	What's that about?
Excited Tourist	Is that what Kjerag prayers are like?
<Background fades out and in>
Leto	Phew... Ok, that's good.
Elder Devotee	What are you doing, girl?
Leto	Praying, of course. I mean, it's better to pray aloud, isn't it? Make sure Kjeragandr can hear me.
Elder Devotee	Uh...
Leto	Don't want to leave behind any regrets, you know! Oh, and thanks for teaching me!
Elder Devotee	Well, I suppose Kjeragandr is hardly one to be picky about petty details... No need to thank me.
Leto	Kjeragandr sounds like a pretty nice lady! Just like you, batyushka.
Leto removes her hand from her chest and takes one last look at the imposing Kjeragandr statue, before turning around to descend the steps. The old devotee sees her face clearly for the first time. The visage before his eyes, under the sunlight... The curves of her cheeks, the height of her nose, the shape of her lips... A sense of familiarity washes over the old man.
Elder Devotee	— It's... you... You're... ......
Leto	What?
Elder Devotee	No, it's nothing... I've seen plenty of tourists in my time, but no one who's done what you did.
Leto	Really? Did I do something weird?
Elder Devotee	What's your name?
Leto	Rosalind.
Elder Devotee	Rosalind... How old are you, Rosalind?
Leto	Me? Almost twenty.
Elder Devotee	...... Are you Kjerag?
Leto	You can tell?
Elder Devotee	You look like... Yes, you really do...
Leto	Well, you called it. I was born here. But I spent my whole life in Ursus. This is my first time back. I guess only half of me is Kjerag.
Elder Devotee	You grew up in Ursus? Ursus... Ursus... that's good too. Yes. Why have you come to Kjerag, then?
<Background 5>
Ratatos	Alright, stick to what you're doing. No, actually, that's enough. Too much is suspicious. The girl? It's a long story. I'll tell you over dinner or something. Talk to you later.
[Ratatos cuts the transmission.]
Ratatos	Alright? Satisfied?
Degenbrecher	For now.
Gnosis	Are you sure the Trilby Asher didn't find anything else?
Degenbrecher	No need to be paranoid, Gnosis. The Duke would not stay put if things had gotten to the point that you fear they have. Don't forget the troops stationed in the foothills. Craigavon is no pushover.
Gnosis	A Trilby Asher showing up on the train indicates that they've sensed something. I have had dealings with the Trilby Ashers. On the surface, they are the groveling servants of the nobles, armed with nothing but silvery tongues. But we can't ignore the fact that they grew up in the embers of an empire at war.
Ratatos	Karma catching up to the two of you, maybe?
Gnosis	If we're talking about karma, then you won't get far yourself.
Ratatos	Of course I won't. Why wouldn't we suffer payback for delivering a young girl to a Victorian spy? She will distract the Trilby Asher. That's why we need the Victorians to believe that she is important.
Gnosis	Do not forget that there will be many eyes on this place, with Kjeragandr's statue complete and the ceremony about to begin. We must all be careful.
Ratatos	I don't need you to remind me. Relax, I'll be careful. It's not a game we're playing here, after all. The Browntails couldn't pull out if we wanted to. Or rather... If I showed even the slightest hint that I wanted out today, I'm plenty sure I would suffer an 'unfortunate accident' tomorrow.
Gnosis	...I see no reason to engage in speculation about the impossible. This is for Kjerag. We can only go forward, not back.
Ratatos	But we can't hide this forever, Gnosis. It's too big, with too many people involved. Even if the Trilby Asher didn't run into the girl today, he might've run into a certain boy another day. He will find out, sooner or later. Enciodes better have a plan, or even the full authority of the Saintess and all Kjerag won't save his hide. And if Victoria finds Karlan Trade to be more important, then we truly have no card to play.
Degenbrecher	It's good for all of us that the Saintess and Enciodes have taken up different positions.
Ratatos	Sigh. I guess I'd better cancel my family dinner tomorrow.
Gnosis	Since when are you a family woman?
Ratatos	Isn't that what Kjerag has always been about? Family, bloodlines. Old-fashioned, I guess, but... The Saintess and Enciodes are siblings, aren't they?
<Background 6>
Elder Devotee	I see... I see... Your mother gave birth to you in Kjerag, but she brought you to Ursus while you were still small. You came back all this way, praying before the statue of Kjeragandr and preparing to climb the mountain to fulfill your mother's last wish. I see...
Leto	That's the story, basically.
Elder Devotee	Good girl... good girl. Smart, brave... and handsome too.
Leto	Oh, shucks. Now you're just flattering me.
Elder Devotee	I'm not. You're a blessing from Kjeragandr to your family!
Leto	Well, er... I wouldn't say that... I guess you could say Mamochka was blessed. But it has nothing to do with my papa, who might as well never have existed.
Elder Devotee	Ahem. Well... Your father... hrm...
Leto	You don't know who he might be, do you? Hm... It's strange. Mamochka said I look a lot like my papa, and he's supposed to be the handsomest man in Kjerag. I thought finding him would be a piece of cake. Could it be...?
Elder Devotee	......
Leto	Maybe my dad was actually pretty ordinary, and beauty was all in the eye of the beholder?
Elder Devotee	O-Of course not! That's not the case at all!
Leto	Whoa! Why are you so excited all of a sudden? But I figured that's the most reasonable explanation.
Elder Devotee	Ah... it's hard to explain.
Leto	Well, I'm in no hurry. We can talk about it later. Are you familiar with these parts?
Elder Devotee	I can't say I know everything, but I do know a thing or two.
Leto	So you're familiar, then...? Do you know the best route up that mountain? I hear it's a make-out point or something. Do I need to buy a ticket or...?
Elder Devotee	No need for tickets. Other than Karlan, the seat of the Saintess, all the mountains and rivers of Kjerag belong to the children of Kjeragandr. Who would have asked such a question in the Kjerag of the past? This was a much quieter place back then. No sightseeing spots, no attractions, few tourists. Faith was strong in the people, who respected the mountains, rivers, and lakes. It has become like this because Clan Silverash wanted to open up to the outside, and the Saintess chose not to intervene...
Leto	What's so bad about opening up?
Elder Devotee	Well, that's not for an old man like me to judge. Are you climbing the mountain today?
Leto	Hm... It's getting a little late. I'm thinking about spending the night somewhere and climbing up first thing in the morning. Any good hotels around here?
Elder Devotee	I have a few spare rooms, if it's a roof over your head you're looking for. That is, if you're willing to stay in my humble abode...
Leto	Of course! Let's go. Thank you so much! Mamochka always said the people of Kjerag were warm and kind.
Elder Devotee	N-Now, listen, girl! Don't be so quick to accept an offer like that! You need to be careful! What would you do if I had ulterior motives?
Leto	Why are you angry when you're the one who offered? Don't worry. I went through a lot in Ursus. I'm no pushover.
Elder Devotee	Don't be a fool! How would you protect yourself if your assailant was stronger than you?
Leto	I'm not a fool... Alright, I know, you're worried about me. Actually, I'm not sure why, but I just felt... well...
Elder Devotee	What?
Leto	I can't put it into words. I just had a feeling... I don't think you'd hurt me.
<Background 7>
Burly Tschäggättä	Did you find the mark?
Pumped-Up Tschäggättä	No. I scanned the island with binoculars, but I didn't see anyone.
Burly Tschäggättä	We're dealing with a master of disguise. He won't slip up so easily.
Pumped-Up Tschäggättä	Then why tell me to look?
Burly Tschäggättä	Just in case. Our mission is to follow the girl, make sure no harm comes to her, and avoid detection.
<Background fades out and in>
"Trilby Asher"	The Tschäggättä still have a lot to learn about counter-reconnaissance. But if the girl has encountered the former head of Clan Paleroche... And the Tschäggättä are here too... Hm?
[A creature growls in his direction.]
"Trilby Asher"	What's that—
<Background fades out and in>
Pumped-Up Tschäggättä	What's that?
Burly Tschäggättä	I'll take a look.
<Background swipes right>
"Trilby Asher"	(Imitates burdenbeast cry)
Burly Tschäggättä	Just a wild burdenbeast.
[The Tschäggättä leaves, unaware of the Trilby Asher clambering out of the snow behind him.]
"Trilby Asher"	You never know when a trick might come in handy. Eek— my back—
<Background 6>
Kjarr	Look, Enya. Look more carefully! This statue... It's not right, is it? Doesn't look like Kjeragandr at all.
Enya	Is that so? I thought it was alright.
Kjarr	It's not alright! The face needs to be a little thinner, and the body...
Enya	That will do, Kjarr. It's up to the people of Kjerag. The Kjeragandr standing here is the one that they want to worship. You know there's not much can change on that front.
Kjarr	Sigh.
Enya	No more sighs. Did you hear the girl, Kjarr?
Kjarr	The one with the loud voice? Of course I did. Interesting one. Kind of makes sense, you know. Not even Kjeragandr can read minds, if you don't pray out loud.
Enya	Kjarr...
Kjarr	People's minds are such complicated things. Who can tell what you're thinking if you don't put it into words?
Enya	You're right.
Kjarr	So... Will you heed the plea of your humble handmaiden, Saintess? This statue—
Enya	Nope.
Kjarr	Enya, Enya!
Enya	Not even if you beg.